INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Africa: Life Expectancy

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to increase life expectancy at birth in Africa.

Hilary Benn: DFID is working to increase life expectancy through a variety of activities including support for the provision of clean water and sanitation, large-scale immunisation and insecticide-treated bednets programmes and addressing related maternal mortality. Safe hygiene practice and improved access to clean water and sanitation are also vital for reducing child mortality. DFID produced the Water Action Plan in March 2004, and we will double our spending on water and sanitation to £95 million by 2007-08.
	In Nigeria we are providing £20 million to rebuild routine immunisation services and a further £80 million for malaria control. In Tanzania we continue to provide support for the social marketing of bednets as part of the national Insecticide Treated Net Programme, and in Sierra Leone we are designing a new long term Child Survival and Maternal Health Programme with the World Bank and national partners. In Malawi we are contributing £100 million over six years to the government's essential health and human resource programme, and significant progress has been made on child survival through immunisation and malaria programmes. Similarly in Zambia we are major donors to the National Strategic Health Plan, which includes a focus on improving child health through expanded vaccination, curative care and improving access to services. In Kenya we are supporting a sector wide approach for the long term strengthening of the health system and improved service delivery. We have funded the development of a number of plans in human resources, procurement and financial management. We are also concentrating much support on the prevention of malaria, the major cause of mortality in children in Kenya. By the end of 2007 we will have spent more than £45 million on insecticide treated bednets and distributed 11 million nets, saving approximately 167,000 lives. DFID is indirectly supporting South Africa's efforts to reverse under-five mortality rates through the £30 million, five-year HIV/AIDS Multi-Sectoral Support Programme (MSP). Our support to the Maternal Child and Women Health Unit in the Department of Health supports research in the area of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), the development of fertility options policy, and research on barriers to antiretroviral uptake among children and pregnant women.
	DFID continues to provide strong support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria (GFATM), and also played a central role in the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) which issued its first bonds in November 2006. This will disburse $4 billion over the next 10 years and is estimated will save 10 million lives, including five million children before 2015. DFID also recently pledged long term support to UNITAID, the International Drug Purchase Facility, starting with a £15 million contribution in 2007, to ensure poor countries benefit from lower prices for drugs to treat AIDS, TB and malaria.

Developing Countries: HIV Infection

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in making cheaper HIV/Aids drugs available to developing nations.

Gareth Thomas: There has been progress in driving down the prices of HIV/AIDS drugs in a number of ways. Competition between multiple producers is leading to significant falls in the prices of some first-line Antiretrovirals (ARVs). The work of UNITAID, trade measures, research and improved transparency around pricing in developing countries, are also combining to bring down prices and improve access.
	DFID is supporting UNITAID, the international drug purchasing facility established in late 2006. UNITAID has already approved several significant expenditures, including $61.7 million for paediatric anti-retroviral therapy (ART), $70 million for second line ART and $52.5m for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. We hope that UNITAID will contribute to the necessary reductions in the prices of second-line drugs such as Viread and Kaletra.
	UNITAID and the Clinton Foundation recently announced a major cut in the price of 16 ARV formulations which will be available to 66 developing countries. UNITAID has committed over $120 million in 2007 and 2008 to this programme, and the Clinton Foundation has negotiated price reductions on average between 25 per cent. and 50 per cent.
	DFID and other Whitehall Departments have worked with the EU and World Trade Organisation (WTO) member states, to ensure that developing countries have the necessary flexibilities in the WTO Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement to safeguard their pressing public health needs. TRIPS now allows countries without manufacturing capacity to issue compulsory licences to import generic copies of patented medicines. The EU is taking steps to implement legislation transposing this agreement into European law. We have funded several programmes including pilot projects in Kenya and Botswana to help them implement legislation allowing them to use TRIPS flexibilities.
	The UK is also involved with others in research, largely through public private partnerships including the International Partnership for Microbicides (IPM) and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), and recently launched an international Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) to focus on price, quality and availability of medicines across the supply chain in-country. MeTA builds on the existing efforts of developing country, donor, World Health Organisation, other multilateral and civil society partners to strengthen national procurement and supply systems, and to tackle corruption.

Middle East: Economic Situation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to improve economic conditions in the Middle East.

Hilary Benn: DFID is helping to improve the economic conditions in the Middle East in a number of ways:
	We are supporting the Iraqi Government in their economic reform efforts through a £13 million programme, providing technical advice on fiscal (including budget management and public financial management) and macroeconomic policy.
	We are providing £15 million to the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The TIM and other international assistance has helped to slow economic decline. The World Bank has highlighted the restrictions on movement and access of Palestinians as the biggest economic constraint, and the UK Government have made our concerns clear to the Israeli Government on this.
	As part of our Yemen programme of £12 million this year, we are investigating various ways in which we can support growth and jobs for poor people. We also focus on improving the efficiency of Government. We are supporting the Ministry of Finance to implement National Public Financial Management Reform. This includes support to budget development and management, procurement reform and auditing. Currently we have £1.1 million committed (2006-08) to this multi-donor Government programme, and are looking to expand over 2008-11 if opportunities to build on progress exist. At community level, the Social Fund for Development (SFD) is supporting small and micro enterprise development throughout the country to which DFID is providing approximately £800,000. DFID has over the past couple of years worked with the Government and other donors to harmonize donor assistance in Yemen in order to make it as effective as possible.
	At regional level, DFID supports economic reform across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through contributions to the EC European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) which will provide €5.6 billion (approximately £3.8 billion) for 17 MENA and eastern European countries from 2007-10. Approximately €1 billion (approximately £0.6 billion) of this will come from DFID's budget. The ENPI is designed to promote good governance and equitable social and economic development.
	DFID also directly supports the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment and partnership (FEMIP) which has loaned €2 billion (approximately £1.4 billion) to MENA countries to help them meet the challenges of economic and social modernisation and improve regional integration. DFID has provided €3 million (approximately £2 million) in grants to a technical trust fund which helps to ensure the FEMIP lending is effective.

Overseas Aid

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria his Department use to evaluate the impact of UK aid.

Gareth Thomas: All DFID evaluations, which are carried out independently, follow the standard international approach by reporting against the evaluation criteria of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC), comprising relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability.
	Further information can be found on the DFID website at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/performance/files/guidance-evaluation.pdf
	and on the OECD-DAC website at:
	www.oecd.org/dac/guidelines.

Uganda: Armed Conflict

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Government of Uganda on talks with the Lord's Resistance Army.

Hilary Benn: I last met with President Museveni on 20 November 2006. During this meeting we discussed northern Uganda and President Museveni updated me on the peace talks that are taking place in Juba between the Government of Uganda and the Lord's Resistance Army.
	DFID and Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff hold regular discussions with the Government of Uganda on a range of issues that include the talks with the Lord's Resistance Army. Most recently the British high commissioner to Uganda and the Head of the DFID Office in Uganda met with President Museveni on 10 May 2007. He reconfirmed his support for the Juba peace process. In all of our discussions with the Government of Uganda on northern Uganda we emphasise the importance of dialogue as essential to resolving the conflict. The UK has provided £250,000 to a UN fund set up to support the talks and we have made it clear that we will do more if necessary.

Uganda: Armed Conflict

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of how many Acholi people  (a) died,  (b) were murdered and  (c) were raped in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: Accurate data on the number of Acholi people who have been murdered are not available, although UN reports do suggest that incidents of violence in the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) affecting parts of northern Uganda have fallen dramatically since peace talks between the LRA and the Government of Uganda began in July 2006.
	Accurate data on the number of Acholi people who have been raped are also not available. Many women and girls do not come forward and say that they have been raped because of the stigma involved, and the practical problems associated with reporting such incidents. However the risk of sexual and gender based violence is high. As part of our humanitarian assistance, DFID has provided approximately £2 million to UNICEF and Save the Children over the last two financial years for their programmes to protect women and children in the North. Communities have also stressed the importance of a police presence in tackling issues of sexual and gender based violence. In response we are providing £700,000 from the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool funds in support of a plan to strengthen civilian policing in the North.
	DFID is working closely with the Government of Uganda and others to support the collection of accurate information in conflict-affected areas of northern Uganda, to fully understand the impact of the conflict, and to ensure that humanitarian assistance is targeted towards the greatest needs.
	In July 2005 DFID supported a Uganda Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation led survey that measured crude mortality rates in northern Uganda. This found that the crude mortality rate in northern Uganda was 1.54 deaths per 10,000 people per day. A crude mortality rate of over 1.0 per 10,000 a day is considered an emergency. As a direct response we have provided over £37 million in humanitarian assistance over the last two years, including £9.6 million in support of a UN programme aimed at tackling some of the main causes of death, including malaria, diarrhoea and respiratory tract infection. There is strong anecdotal evidence that mortality has fallen but a repeat survey will be carried out before the end of the year to check that this is the case.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Members: Correspondence

Susan Kramer: To ask the Leader of the House when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Richmond Park of 5 March 2007 on behalf of her constituent Mr GP Knight (reference PT/050307/KNIGHTGP).

Jack Straw: My office had no record of having received the hon. Member's letter dated 5 March 2007 before it was brought to my attention. I have today replied to the letter. If such a situation arises in the future the hon. Member might want to phone my office in the first instance.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departments: Official Hospitality,

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2007,  Official Report, column 1440W, on Departments: official hospitality, if he will provide a breakdown by main categories of expenditure of the money spent on official hospitality by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister in 2006-07.

Peter Hain: This matter is now the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Administration.

Home Information Packs

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce home information packs in Northern Ireland.

Peter Hain: This matter is now the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Administration.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts: Finance

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much local authorities spent on  (a) arts organisations and  (b) other arts related activities in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The Government do not collect information on local authority spending on arts organisations and arts related activities specifically. The Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn returns show the following information for England.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Arts development and support  Theatre and public entertainment  Arts development support theatres and public entertainment  Arts activities and facilities  Total 
			 2005-06 118,496 142,604 — — 261,100 
			 2004-05 121,042 105,896 — — 226,938 
			 2003-04 — — 224,616 — 224,616 
			 2002-03 — — — 188,933 188,933 
			 2001-02 — — — 187,072 187,072 
			 2000-01 — — — 174,483 174,483 
			 1999-2000 — — — 141,525 141,525 
			 1998-99 — — — 89,413 89,413 
			 1997-98 — — — — —

Arts: Innovation

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to promote entrepreneurship in the creative industries.

Shaun Woodward: holding answer 16 May 2007
	DCMS supported the Entrepreneurship Task Group which considered how to promote the development of entrepreneurial skills amongst creative industries graduates. The group's recommendations have been taken forward by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship.
	The Department also sponsors the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), which through its programmes aims to support the next generation of creative innovators and those at the early stages of their creative careers.
	Issues around entrepreneurship in the creative industries will be highlighted in the Creative Economy Programme Green Paper, due for publication shortly.

Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the estimated annual running costs are of the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum.

David Lammy: There are no running costs of the Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum other than those of staff time within the Department and refreshments, both paid for within DCMS's revenue budget.

Culture and Creativity Advisory Forum

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the  (a) salary and  (b) financial package is for a creative programmer; and what the budget is of each regional creative programme.

David Lammy: Each Creative Programmer post will attract a salary of around £40,000. The precise financial package will take account of the full costs of employment. This is a matter for each of the Regional Cultural Consortiums who will employ the Creative Programmers and will be responsible for agreeing salaries with successful candidates.
	Creative Programmers will work closely with national and regional partners to advise the cultural sector in the region on possible sources of public and private funding to support cultural projects as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Film

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made with the MOT for film policy announced by the Minister for Culture in a speech to the Institute for Public Policy Research on 15 June 2005.

Shaun Woodward: DCMS is working closely with its strategic agency, the UK Film Council, to create a sustainable and successful film industry. The MOT for film policy was a document which suggested possible additional ways of doing this. The UK Film Council has recently launched its three year corporate plan for 2007-10, after extensive consultation. This plan incorporates many of the initiatives from the MOT, including a new Market Testing Fund, a Film Festivals Fund, and a Film Digitisation and Marketing Fund.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department will take to ensure that the principles enshrined in the 2012 Construction Commitments will be upheld in the awarding of construction contracts in the Olympic project.

Richard Caborn: The Olympic Delivery Authority and partners are committed to promoting the 2012 Construction Commitments developed by the Strategic Forum for Construction, and this is clearly set out in its procurement policy.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the proportion of construction projects for the Olympic and Paralympic Games which are likely to be awarded to local construction firms.

Richard Caborn: In accordance with EU procurement regulation, no preference can be given to British companies. Contracts will be awarded to those judged to be the best suppliers and service providers. However, we are committed to ensuring that UK companies are well placed to compete successfully for Games related contracts, and the DTI is mobilising its full range of business support tools to help achieve this.
	The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) publishes details of all contract opportunities on the business section of the London 2012 website at:
	www.london2012.org
	which also includes advance notice of future opportunities. Alongside this, the business opportunities network that is currently being developed will act as a conduit for information about procurement opportunities and supply chains within the London 2012 project. It will also allow business support organisations to communicate with and offer support to businesses in their area.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the contribution of specialist contractors to the construction projects involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games; and what representations she has received on the involvement of specialist contractors.

Richard Caborn: The construction of the Olympic Park, including the packaging and procurement of contracts, is the responsibility of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). Building the Olympic Park will require the contribution of a wide range of contractors, including specialist contractors. In order to keep potential suppliers updated of developments in the letting of contracts the ODA has organised a series of Industry Days, focusing on different aspects of the construction work, which are designed to both consult with key stakeholders within the industry on how contracts could be packaged and to keep them abreast of the procurement process.
	In accordance with the ODA's procurement policy and in the interests of maintaining fair and open competition, companies making representations directly to the ODA and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are redirected to the business section of the London 2012 website:
	www.london2012.com/business
	where they can register to receive updates about the Industry Days and developments in the procurement of contracts. This service is open to all businesses throughout the UK.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the membership is of the  (a) Olympic Board Steering group,  (b) Olympic Programme Support Unit and  (c) working level network of Olympic co-ordinators; what position is held by each; what expenses each has incurred; and on what dates each has attended meetings.

Richard Caborn: The Olympic Board Steering Group consists of senior representatives of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), Communities and Local Government (CLG), the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), the Greater London Authority (GLA), the British Olympic Association (BOA), the British Paralympic Association (BPA), the Olympic Lottery Distributor (OLD) and the Olympic Programme Support Unit (OPSU). This group meets on a monthly basis.
	The Olympic Co-ordinators group consists of representatives of Government Departments, the Devolved Administrations, the lead Regional Development Agency and lead Government Office for DCMS. Representatives of the GLA, ODA, LOCOG and OPSU also attend these meetings. This group meets on a quarterly basis.
	Any travel and subsistence expenses that arise in relation to attendance at these meetings are the responsibility of the individual organisations and not these groups.
	The Olympic Programme Support Unit is not a decision-making body with any specific representative membership. It is a small unit based within DCMS that provides a secretariat for the Olympic Board and independently monitors progress against the Olympic Programme as a whole.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which categories of projects will be entitled to money from the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, UK Wide Cultural Festival.

David Lammy: We have plans for a wide range of exciting and innovative projects to be part of the Cultural Olympiad. These projects will all: celebrate London and the UK welcoming the world; inspire and involve young people; and generate a positive legacy. The London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will shortly announce how cultural organisations can be involved in the Cultural Olympiad, including the UK-wide Cultural Festival.

Sports: Children

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what date her Department agreed the target of offering all children at least four hours of sport a week by 2010.

Richard Caborn: In December 2004 the Prime Minister announced the Government's long term ambition to offer at least four hours of sport every week by 2010 to all pupils in schools in England.

Tote

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 3 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1833W, on the Tote, what discussions her Department has had with personnel from HM Treasury on the future of the Tote.

Richard Caborn: Officials regularly attend meetings as part of the process of policy development It is not normal practice of Government to disclose details of, or attendance at, such meetings. The Government remain in discussion with the consortium of racing interests and the staff and management of the Tote that has submitted an offer for the Tote's businesses.

WALES

Departments: Sovereign Strategy

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many meetings  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials from his Office held with Sovereign Strategy in each year between 1997 and 2006.

Peter Hain: There have been no official meetings held with Sovereign Strategy.

TREASURY

Business: Newcastle upon Tyne

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the stock was of VAT registered businesses per 10,000 adults in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne in each year since 1996.

John Healey: The information is set out in the table.
	
		
			   Stock of VAT registered Businesses  Adults  Stock of VAT registered businesses per 10,000 adults 
			 1996 5,569 226,073 246.3 
			 1997 5,601 223,937 250.1 
			 1998 5,671 221,186 256.4 
			 1999 5,477 219,667 249.3 
			 2000 5,372 217,488 247.0 
			 2001 5,463 216,911 251.9 
			 2002 5,411 217,440 248.9 
			 2003 5,442 218,792 248.7 
			 2004 5,573 222,140 250.9 
			 2005 5,669 229,254 247.3 
			 2006 5,769 (1)— (1)— 
			 (1 )Not available yet

Cervical Cancer: Vaccination

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether his Department has made an estimate of the cost of a schools-based vaccination programme for the human papillomavirus vaccine;
	(2)  what funds have been allocated for a schools-based vaccination programme for the human papillomavirus vaccine.

Stephen Timms: All decisions on the funding of health programmes beyond 2007-08 will be made in the context of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

Departments: Delivery Unit

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what role the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit will play in the 2007 comprehensive spending review;
	(2)  in which  (a) policy areas and  (b) projects his Department (i) is receiving support or advice from the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit and (ii) has received support or advice over the last 12 months.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers) on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 286W.

Departments: Official Hospitality

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 23 April 2007,  Official Report, column 982W, on Departments: official hospitality, whether his Department creates a record for security purposes of those visiting his Department's building at 1 Horse Guards Parade.

John Healey: The Treasury does not comment on security matters.

Departments: Sovereign Strategy

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials from his Department held with Sovereign Strategy in each year between 1997 and 2006.

John Healey: There is no record of any meetings between the Treasury and Sovereign Strategy.

Elections: Conduct

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has received from Equifax on the conduct of elections.

John Healey: None.

Excise Duties: Alcoholic Drinks

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his Department made an assessment of the potential for fiscal incentives to contribute to the promotion of responsible drinking prior to the 2007 Budget.

Stephen Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer he was given on 20 April 2007,  Official Report, column 866W.

Gift Aid

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the cost was to the public purse of administering Gift Aid in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to UK charities of administering Gift Aid claim returns in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 14 May 2007
	Gift Aid is one of a number of charitable reliefs and activities administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). HMRC does not distinguish the costs of processing Gift Aid from its other activities in relation to charities and charitable giving and does not have information available to identify the cost of processing Gift Aid by charities.
	However, the HMRC Charities business stream brings together most policy, technical and operational work in relation to charities for both direct and indirect taxes. The total operational cost of this business stream was £3,342,594 (2005-06) and £3,690,339 (2006-07). These figures include the paybill costs of staff, but exclude departmental overheads such as accommodation.

Members: Correspondence

John Penrose: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the letter of 19 March from the hon. Member for Weston-Super-Mare, on the child tax credit system.

Stephen Timms: I have replied to the hon. Member.

Members: Correspondence

David Wilshire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Paymaster General will respond to the letter from the hon. Member for Spelthorne dated 26 February about a constituent's tax credits problem (Treasury reference PO REF: 4/29817/2007).

Stephen Timms: I have replied to the hon. Member.

Migration

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of future net migration for the purpose of determining a long-term trend economic growth rate.

John Healey: HM Treasury's latest projection of migration and its contribution to trend growth are set out in "Trend Growth: new evidence and prospects", published alongside the 2006 Pre Budget Report (CM 6984).

Office of Government Commerce: Manpower

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) full-time,  (b) part-time and  (c) external staff the Office of Government Commerce employed in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information is given in the table:
	
		
			   Full-time  Part-time 
			 April 2007 285 10 
			 April 2006 420 10 
			 April 2005 435 15 
			 April 2004 370 10 
			 April 2003 370 20

Pensions

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the potential effect on costs arising from arranging for the pension policies held with different employers of one individual to be dealt with by a single tax office.

Edward Balls: HMRC have no plans to bring together how they deal with employer and occupational pension records into a single office. No work has been done to identify the costs or the impact on the handling of pension policies.
	However, in 2008 HMRC will bring together individual's PAYE records, both employment and pension records, onto a single database to improve the standards of customer service and deliver cost efficiencies throughout the department.

Public Sector Net Cash Requirement

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the  (a) total amount and  (b) percentage of GDP was of public sector net debt for the UK in each year since 1996.

John Healey: These public sector net debt series are published monthly in tables A7 and A8 of the Public Finances Databank, the latest version of which can be found at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and_tools/finance_spending statistics/pubsec_finance/psf_statistics.cfm

Research and Development Tax Credit

Ben Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of tax relief wrongly claimed under the Research and Development Tax Credit Scheme; and whether he has set up a special unit to investigate abuses of the Scheme.

John Healey: Since the introduction of the relief in April 2000 no companies have been convicted of making fraudulent claims to relief.
	HMRC adopts a risk-based approach to the interventions it undertakes. As with other elements of companies' tax returns and computations, claims for R and D tax credits are subject to risk assessment procedures. Where significant risks are identified they are pursued through a variety of interventions one of which involves opening an inquiry into the company tax return or claim.
	In response to consultation HMRC opened seven specialist R and D units in November 2006. The units will improve the consistency of dealing with claims and their role is to encourage and help companies to make claims to R and D relief while ensuring that any instances of non-compliance are effectively and efficiently handled.

Taxation: Emergency Services

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 8 May 2007,  Official Report, columns 189-90W, on taxation: emergency services, what his Department's policy is on the treatment for tax purposes of the use of emergency vehicles between home and workplace which may also be used for private journeys.

John Healey: The statutory exemption that removes the tax charge that would otherwise arise where members of the fire, police, ambulance and paramedic services take their vehicles home, applies where the individual driving the emergency vehicle is on call or engaged in on call commuting. If the vehicle can be used for private journeys at any other time, a tax charge will apply if it is used for such journeys, including journeys between home and workplace.

Welfare Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what  (a) underpayment and  (b) overpayment there has been of (i) pension credit, (ii) working tax credit and (iii) child tax credit in each year since their introduction.

Stephen Timms: Pension credit was introduced in 2003. It is designed to ensure that no pensioner falls below a minimum level of weekly income, and also rewards those who have saved for their retirement.
	The amount of pension credit estimated as overpaid in each year due to fraud, customer error and official error is published as National Statistics. The amount estimated as overpaid in each year since the introduction of pension credit is shown in the table, together with the percentage of pension credit expenditure for the relevant period.
	
		
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			   £ million  Percentage  £ million  Percentage  £ million  Percentage 
			 Overpayments 270 5.4 280 4.6 270 4.1 
			 Underpayments 85 1.7 121 2.0 100 1.6 
		
	
	Figures for 2003-04 are available only for a combination of pension credit and the minimum income guarantee (the system which pension credit replaced).
	Child and working tax credits is a flexible system which responds to changes in family circumstances. Therefore, overpayments and underpayments are part of the system and can be caused by income rises from one year to the next, families overstating the extent to which income has fallen, delays in reporting changes in family's circumstances, and provisional payments made at the start of the year which are based on out-of-date information. They are not therefore, comparable with over and underpayment arising from the pension credit.
	Estimates of the number of families with tax credits awards in 2003-04 and 2004-05, including information on overpayments and underpayments (based on finalised family circumstances and incomes for 2003-04 and 2004-05) are available in the publication: "Child and Working Tax Credits Statistics. Finalised Awards 2004-05. Supplement on payments in 2004-05". This is available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-payments-0405.pdf
	We do not produce statistics separately for child tax credit and working tax credit. Figures for 2005-06 are due to be published on 22 May 2007.

SCOTLAND

Local Government: Elections

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many spoiled ballots there were in the local authority elections held in Scotland on 3rd May.

David Cairns: The conduct of local authority elections in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Executive.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Carbon Emissions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will publish carbon dioxide milestones that can be used in conjunction with the standard assessment procedure and the planning process to ensure that appropriate building services and local renewables are specified.

Angela Smith: The Government have proposed changes to building regulations energy efficiency requirements so that by 2016 all new homes will need to be zero carbon as calculated by the Standard Assessment Procedure. The Government have also proposed interim milestones so that in 2010 and 2013, building regulations energy efficiency standards will be 25 per cent. and 44 per cent. higher respectively, compared with 2006.
	The Government's draft Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change has set out the need for development plan documents to set policies on the provision of low carbon and renewable sources of energy to provide the platform necessary for complementing the increasingly high levels of energy efficiency standards required by Building Regulations.
	The proposed changes to building regulations together with the draft Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change will create opportunities for the use of appropriate building services and local renewables.

Departments: Official Engagements

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the diary engagements were for each member of her ministerial team for 23 April.

Angela Smith: For 23 April diary engagements for each member of the ministerial team were as follows:
	
		
			   Engagement 
			 Ruth Kelly Internal meetings only. 
			 Phil Woolas Internal meetings, a presentation from REACH, and a meeting with UNISON to discuss RSG issues. 
			 Yvette Cooper Internal meetings and a speech to 9(th) Hertfordshire Housing Conference. 
			 Meg Munn Opened exhibition in Bristol to mark bicentenary of abolition of the slave trade. 
			 Angela Smith Internal meetings and discussion with National School of Government regarding staff development strategy. 
			 Baroness Andrews Internal meetings and discussion with Patrick Hall MP regarding Milton Keynes 
		
	
	We do not release details of internal discussions as this would prejudice the frank exchanges of views between Ministers and officials which are necessary to policy development.

Housing: Standards

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) houses and  (b) flats built in (i) 2003, (ii) 2004, (iii) 2005 and (iv) 2006 were found subsequently to have significant building defects; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The construction of all new dwellings is subject to building control but as this is a fully devolved service under the Building Act 1984, no central records are kept of contraventions of building regulations.
	Non compliance with building regulations may result in the withholding of completion or final certificates, and possibly formal enforcement action by the local authority for more serious breaches. In addition, the vast majority of new dwellings are covered by home warranties which provide mechanisms for defects to be remedied. Officials work closely with warranty providers to ensure that these are effective.

India

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which Ministers in her Department have visited India in the last 12 months; on how many occasions each Minister visited India; and what the length was of each visit.

Angela Smith: No Communities and Local Government Ministers have visited India in the last 12 months.
	This Government publishes an annual list of Cabinet Ministers' travel overseas costing over £500 along with the total cost of all ministerial travel. Information for 2005-06 was published on 24 July 2006 and is available in the Library of the House. Information for 2006-07 will be published as soon as it is ready.
	All travel is in accordance with the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers.

Local Government Finance: Elderly

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will bring forward proposals to change the formula for grant allocation to local councils for older people to reflect changes in the numbers of elderly people aged over 75 years and their increased social care needs.

Phil Woolas: We tested a wide range of indicators of social service need, including those relating to age and health, when developing the current formula. As a result, I am satisfied that the variables in the older people's formula adequately reflect relative social service need in different types of authority.
	The new formula is calculated using data on the number of people aged 65 and over resident in each area, and pensioners living alone, in receipt of pension credit and attendance allowance, pensioners who live in rented accommodation and those aged 90 and over in each area.
	We do expect to update the data we use in the relative needs formulae for the 2008-09 settlement, where possible. This will ensure that the calculations reflect changes in demographic and other trends in each local authority.

TRANSPORT

Lorry Drivers: Standards

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are in place to ensure that HGV drivers from  (a) European Union member states and  (b) other foreign jurisdictions meet the driving standards required of British HGV drivers.

Stephen Ladyman: The UK recognises driving licences issued by all other European Union (EU) member states, including HGV entitlement. As European Council Directive 91/439/EEC prescribes a minimum standard for health and driver testing (including HGV tests), it is presumed that HGV drivers from other EU states will have the same conditions applied to their driving standards.
	Non-EU licence holders who are resident here may only drive vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (motorcycles, cars and light vans). Visitors may drive larger vehicles only if the vehicles were registered outside Great Britain and have been driven into the country temporarily. While driving on British roads they are subject to the same road traffic laws as British HGV drivers.
	Enforcement of road traffic law is a matter for individual chief officers of police.

Railways: Aviation

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated in the last five years on the potential effect of high-speed rail on demand for air travel; and what plans it has to commission further research.

Tom Harris: The Government made a manifesto commitment to look at the feasibility and affordability of a new north-south high-speed link. The Department has committed to take this forward in the development of a long-term strategy for the railways.
	In so doing the Department will draw on a range of evidence and commissioned work, including Sir Rod Eddington's advice on the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK's productivity, stability and growth. The Department will release the evidence alongside our conclusions as part of the long-term strategy for the railways to be published in summer 2007.

Railways: Fixed Penalties

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) fixed penalty notices and  (b) court summonses were issued by rail companies in the London area to passengers in the last 12 months.

Tom Harris: The Department for Transport does not collate this information, as the prosecution of individuals is a matter for the train operators concerned, the British Transport police and the courts.

Roads: Construction

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library the most recent appraisal summary table for each road scheme in the Local Transport Programme.

Gillian Merron: I have arranged for the most recent appraisal summary table for each local major road schemes granted programme entry or subsequent approval through the local transport programme to be placed in the in the House Library.

Shipping: Radioactive Materials

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the required response time is in the event of an  (a) incident and  (b) terrorist attack involving a transport ship carrying plutonium-based MOX fuel in European Union waters.

Stephen Ladyman: Ships carrying MOX fuel are required to have a shipboard emergency plan which would be activated immediately in the event that an incident occurred. Emergency support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
	An immediate response to a terrorist attack would be provided by the onboard escort team, comprising authorised firearms officers of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

Shipping: Radioactive Materials

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether alcohol consumption is permitted on the vessels used by PNTL and NDA to transport plutonium-based MOX fuels from Sellafield to  (a) other EU Members States and  (b) Japan.

Stephen Ladyman: All crew members on board PNTL and NDA vessels are limited, regardless of destination, to an alcohol level of half the UK legal limit for driving. This is more restrictive than the legal limits for alcohol for professional mariners.

Shipping: Radioactive Materials

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account is taken of whether a ship in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority nuclear transport fleet possesses the best available technology when decisions are being taken on which ship will undertake shipments of MOX plutonium-based nuclear fuel in European Union waters.

Stephen Ladyman: Ships used to transport MOX fuel are classified as INF class 2 or 3. These ships are designed and built to the highest standards and are certified according to national and international agreements.
	The choice of particular ship is a matter for the operator.

Shipping: Radioactive Materials

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of requiring an escort for transport ships used to transport plutonium-based MOX fuel in European Union waters.

Stephen Ladyman: All shipments of MOX fuel in UK flagged vessels are escorted by members of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary's (CNC) Marine Escort Group, comprising authorised firearms officers who have been trained to a high standard by the Royal Navy.
	Ships flagged to other nations may also transport MOX fuel. Approval of arrangements for such movements are the responsibility of that State's competent authorities.

Shipping: Radioactive Materials

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety tests have been conducted on the type B flasks used for carrying plutonium-based MOX fuel on their ability to withstand explosions.

Stephen Ladyman: Packages for the transport of radioactive material must meet the stringent standards developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Type B packages for the transport of large quantities of radioactive material must undergo tests to demonstrate their ability to survive a severe impact followed by a severe fire.

Vehicle and Operator Services Agency: Telephone Services

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what  (a) number and  (b) percentage of calls were unanswered at the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency in the last 12 months; and what targets the agency sets for response times to calls.

Stephen Ladyman: The VOSA enquiry unit operates a system that fields calls to appropriately trained staff. During the last 12 months 189,262 customers have terminated their call before being put through to enquiry unit staff. This represents 24.8 per cent. of the total calls received.
	To meet the recent increase in demand on the enquiry unit, VOSA have employed 10 additional staff and implemented a call monitoring system. VOSA anticipate a reduction in unanswered calls to meet industry standards by the end of June 2007.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Uganda

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution the UK Government made to the military capacity of the Government of Uganda in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 15 March 2006,  Official Report, columns 2297-98W, to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam (Mr. Clegg) which provides details of military training provided to the Ugandan People's Defence Force up to March 2006.
	Over the last year, a number of training activities intended to further improve the professionalism of Ugandan soldiers have been taking place. These have included attendance at the Royal College of Defence Studies, the commissioning course at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and the Royal Engineers troop commanders and Explosive Ordnance Disposal courses. Briefing programmes have been delivered on peace support operations, border security and management and collective training. A similar programme will be delivered over the coming year, with an increasing emphasis on supporting Uganda's contribution to the embryonic African Standby Force regional standby brigade.
	In addition, the Security Sector Development Advisory Team has, since 2002, been assisting Uganda to enhance good governance in defence by more effective management and policy direction. This programme, funded by the Department for International Development, has included assisting in producing a White Paper on Defence Transformation and support to development of a Defence Corporate Plan. Current engagement is directed towards support on improving governance of logistics resources.

Army: Greater London

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the running costs were of the house provided by his Department to the General Officer Commanding London District in the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: The following table provides the information for 2005-06, the most recent full year for which data is available.
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 Rent 15,443 
			 Utilities 6,412.13 
			 Maintenance 4,701.76 
			 Staff 112,508.69 
			 Total 139,065.58 
		
	
	All service personnel living in service accommodation pay charges appropriate to the size and condition of the property they occupy. This is deducted at source from their salary.

Army: Official Cars

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any official cars used by senior members of the Army have been damaged in the last two years.

Derek Twigg: Over the last two years there have been 75 accidents recorded that can be attributed to vehicles being driven by senior Army officers (Lt. Col. and above). It is, however, impossible to tell from the MOD's traffic accident reporting system the severity of the accident or whether any damage resulted to the vehicle. As incidents are recorded by driver name, senior officers who may have been involved as passengers are not identified on the system.

Civil Contingency Reaction Forces

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Civil Contingency Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Civil Contingency Reaction Forces have been fully operational since the end of January 2004, and continue to maintain their readiness through a rolling programme of training and exercises with the emergency services that test how they would work together in a crisis. They enhance the armed forces' ability to support the civil police and other bodies, if requested, through their availability to deploy to assist at the scene of an incident or elsewhere, be it terrorist attack, accident or natural disaster.

Conferences

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of the 16 April conference chaired by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.

Derek Twigg: The record of the conference is currently being finalised. I will place a copy in the Library of the House when this work is complete.

Departments: Buildings

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest estimate is of the cost of refurbishing his Department's headquarters in London.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 8 May 2007
	The physical refurbishment of the Department's main building cost £323 million (VAT exclusive) and has delivered a modern and efficient workspace capable of intensive use for the next 20 years and beyond.

Food Supply: Security

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many officials in his Department are involved in strategic contingency planning for the security of United Kingdom food supplies; and in what categories of posts.

Des Browne: None.

Hercules Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2007,  Official Report, column 925W, on Hercules aircraft, if he will take steps to ensure that Hercules aircraft being fitted with explosive suppressant foam are flown to flex the wings after the sealant is applied but before the foam is put in place.

Adam Ingram: The replacement of the fuel tank sealant is only undertaken on the Hercules C-130K aircraft. Flying the aircraft between fuel tank sealant replacement and fitting explosion suppressant foam (ESF) would introduce unacceptable delays to this urgent programme. Therefore, quality assurance processes are used to ensure that it is not necessary to fly the Hercules C-130K aircraft after the fuel tank sealant has been replaced but before ESF is fitted.

Hercules Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 21 March 2007,  Official Report, column 925W, on Hercules aircraft, how long it has taken for each Hercules aircraft being fitted with explosive suppressant foam to return to active service; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Hercules C-130K explosion suppressant foam (ESF) modification takes approximately 44 days per aircraft to complete. The less complex Hercules C-130J modification takes approximately 16 days. The difference in time scale between the two marks of aircraft is due to the need to replace the fuel tank sealant on the older C-130K. In order to improve overall aircraft availability to the front line command, the ESF modification has been combined with scheduled maintenance wherever possible.

Land Mines: Bomb Disposal

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what initiatives his Department is undertaking to remove land mines and explosive remnants of war; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 14 May 2007
	 The Ministry of Defence has three initiatives to remove land mines and explosive remnants of war. These three projects are judged to be highly successful: the first involves 98 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and de-mining personnel for the Kosovo Protection Corps. The second is the Bosnian project, which on completion will have destroyed over 10,000 tons of ammunition. And the third is the International Mine Action and Training Centre in Kenya has trained some 3,800 African and International personnel in de-mining and associated skills. Wider initiatives by the UK, funded by DFID at £10 million per year, are targeted at the world's poorest nations, and have reduced casualties significantly.

Lynx Helicopters

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  when the decision was taken  (a) not to fit 15 Hamden Lynx Mk 7 with DAS and  (b) to install a flare and chaff system instead;
	(2)  when the Lynx Mk 7s of 847 NAS were first fitted with a flare system;
	(3)  how many Lynx helicopters fitted with infra red jamming devices and electronic counter measures are ready for active service;
	(4)  how many of the Lynx helicopter fleet have been fitted with infra red jamming devices and electronic counter measures; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Defensive Aids can comprise a wide variety of systems, including chaff and flare dispensers, which contribute to the protection of an air platform. We provide our aircraft with a level of protection commensurate with the risk of the operational tasking. This involves a mix of threat mitigation measures, which can include defensive aids.
	I am not prepared to disclose specific details of defensive aid fitted, as this might prejudice the operational security of our armed forces.

Lynx Helicopters

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when a requirement to fit Lynx with Defensive Aid Suites was first established.

Adam Ingram: Lynx helicopters were first fitted with Defensive Aid Suites in 1987.

Military Aircraft: Crew

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planning total is for qualified fast jet pilots at the end of each of the years 2007 to 2010.

Adam Ingram: The following table provides the planning total for Royal Air Force and Royal Navy qualified Fast Jet Pilots for the next four financial years.
	
		
			  Financial year  Number of pilots 
			 2007-08 790 
			 2008-09 765 
			 2009-10 760 
			 2010-11 750 
			  Notes: 1. These figures exclude pilots who hold the rank of Wing Commander or above. 2. All figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 3. The RAF element of the figures provided include a manpower training margin to compensate, partially for the loss of productive effort of trained personnel whilst they undergo long periods of training, or for other losses due to such factors as long-term illness, pregnancy or terminal leave.

Military Aircraft: Crew

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many suitably qualified fast jet pilots were available for active service at each year end since 2000.

Adam Ingram: The following table provides the number of qualified Royal Air Force and Royal Navy fast jet pilots as at 1 April.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2000 675 
			 2001 655 
			 2002 645 
			 2003 685 
			 2004 690 
			 2005 690 
			 2006 680 
			  Notes: 1. The figures show all fast jet pilots, including those who may be medically downgraded or are in non-flying posts, but excludes pilots who hold the rank of Wing Commander/Commander or above. 2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 5. 3. Obtaining actual numbers for those pilots who are combat ready would involve a manual trawl of data and could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

RAF Leeming

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons are for the delay in setting up the new communications hub at RAF Leeming; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement of 8 May 2007,  Official Report, column 5WS.

Research and Development Costs

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2006,  Official Report, column 364W, on research and development costs, when he expects to be able to provide the information requested.

Adam Ingram: I wrote to the hon. Member today.

Sequestration of Assets: Iran

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 2 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1748W, on sequestration of assets: Iran, what options he has considered to ensure  (a) the return of seized Royal Navy assets and  (b) compensation from Iran; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: We continue to press the Government of Iran to return the boats and equipment seized illegally.

Territorial Army

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the  (a) implementation of Additional Duties Commitments and  (b) creation of Land Information Communication Security Groups (Volunteers), following the laying before the House on 30 April 2007 of Amendment 31 of the Territorial Army Regulations.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 16 May 2007
	 The Additional Duties Commitment was implemented for members of the Reserve Forces (Army) (Regular Reserve, Regular Army Reserve of Officers and the Volunteer Reserves (Territorial Army)) with effect from the introduction of Amendment 31 of the Territorial Army Regulations and the roll out of Joint Personnel Administration to the Army, in April 2007. An Additional Duties Commitment is formal part-time employment, completing the spectrum of employment between Territorial Army Service that is entirely voluntary at the lowest level (attendance on weekday evenings and weekends) through to full time working on either a Full Time Reserve Service engagement or mobilised service. In recognition of the differing levels of commitment and guarantee of work at any given time, the terms and conditions of service are also graduated.
	The LAND Information and Communications Services Group was given formal approval in March 2007. It is a National 'Specialist' Territorial Army unit, recruited from all over the UK. Once fully recruited, it will consist of a mix of suitably qualified Territorial Army personnel, and recently retired regular officers and senior non commissioned officers, and professionally qualified officers (PQOs) with specialist skills obtained from industry which will enhance the Defence Information and Communications Systems capability.

Type 45 Destroyers

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department has received any expressions of interest from foreign Governments regarding the purchase of Type 45 destroyers.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence has received no formal expressions of interest regarding the purchase of Type 45 destroyers. Information about the Type 45 has, however, been provided to other Governments, when requested.

Typhoon

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2007 to question 134727 on Typhoon, whether consideration  (a) is being given and  (b) is likely in future to be given to equipping Typhoon with a functioning cannon.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 14 May 2007
	All RAF Typhoons are fitted with a functioning cannon. If operational requirements led us to conclude that the capability provided by the cannon justified bringing it into service, we could do so at relatively short notice.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Adult Education

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many learners were undertaking Learning and Skills Council funded  (a) further education,  (b) work based learning and  (c) adult and community learning provision in each of the last three years, broken down by (i) subject area, (ii) age group, (iii) gender and (iv) local education authority.

Jim Knight: holding answer 24 April 2007
	Figures for those participating in further education (FE), work based learning (WBL) and adult and community learning (ACL) provision can be derived from the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) individualised learner record (ILR). The information requested has been placed in the Library. (Some LA breakdowns could only be provided at disproportionate cost and are therefore not included.)

Children and Adoption Act 2006

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects the provisions relating to parenting in the Children and Adoption Act 2006 to be implemented.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Government expect that provisions in Part 1 of the Children and Adoption Act 2006 in relation to Family Assistance Orders and risk assessments will be implemented from October 2007. This timescale is subject to completion of necessary changes to the court rules, following consideration by the Family Proceedings Rule Committee. Shortly, the Government will be making a written ministerial statement (WMS), outlining the timetable for implementation of the remaining provisions in Part 1 of the Act.

Children: Protection

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what representations he has received on proposals to adopt a child protection approach where a child is involved in gang activity and a younger sibling is at risk of moving into an unsafe lifestyle;
	(2)  whether he has plans to address the risk to a younger child in circumstances where an older sibling is involved in gang activity.

Beverley Hughes: The Department has not received any formal representations. Child protection is a matter for local authorities and their partners. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children requires effective co-ordination in every local area. For this reason, the Children Act 2004 requires each local authority to establish a Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). LSCBs came into force on 1 April 2006. Their core membership includes local authorities, health bodies, the police and other key agencies providing services to children and adults. The objectives of LSCBs are to co-ordinate local work and to ensure the effectiveness of the work of member agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Government's statutory guidance "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (2006) sets out their roles and responsibilities including their relationship to the wider children's trust arrangements.
	This guidance also sets out the processes to be followed if there are concerns about a child's welfare. Firstly, a referral should be made to local authority children's social care and it should decide whether to undertake an initial assessment to establish whether the child is a child in need. If the child is a child in need under s17 of the Children Act 1989, then the LA should decide what services are required to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child and which agency is best placed to provide them.
	If there are concerns that a child may be suffering, or is likely to suffer significant harm, then a multi agency strategy meeting—led by local authority children's social care—should be held to determine whether to undertake inquiries under s47 of the Children Act 1989 and what action is required to safeguard the child's welfare. If a child is at continuing risk of harm, then a child protection plan would be put in place. Children's social care and the police, together with the other services are required to work closely together during these assessment and decision making processes.
	These processes are used to protect children from different sorts of harm and are flexible enough to be used in a range of circumstances. The Government will of course continue to keep this framework under review.

Children's Centres

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the project to determine how health visitors can work more closely with children's centres; what funds were made available for the project; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Government have committed £7 million in 2006-07 and 2007-08 to pilot the Nurse Family Partnership initiative in 10 sites in England. This nurse-led intensive home visiting programme has been developed, refined and rigorously tested over 30 years in the US and has resulted in impressive outcomes for vulnerable children and mothers. The programme will be delivered on the pilot sites by health visitors and midwives working within integrated services for children and families, linked to Sure Start children's centres.
	Evaluation of the pilot will inform the future commissioning of high intensity early intervention and prevention programmes, as part of the progressive universal model of child and family health. Evaluation will also examine short term impacts on maternal and child health and assess the role of practitioners and their skills requirements for such a model of intervention.

City Academies: Admissions

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what oversubscription admissions policies are employed by each academy.

Jim Knight: The oversubscription criteria for an academy are normally contained within its funding agreement, the contract between the Secretary of State and Academy Trust through which an academy is governed. All the funding agreements for open academies are freely available to the public online at the following web address;
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/foischeme/subPage/cfm?action=collections.displayCollection&i_collectionID=190
	However, where a number of academies are sponsored by the same individual or organisation, for example ARK or ULT, there may be a master funding agreement for this group, with a series of supplemental agreements setting out the particulars for each separate academy. In such cases, admissions arrangements will be contained within supplemental agreements.
	These supplemental agreements are also available at the web address provided above.
	All academies are bound by the admissions code, and as such may not select on academic ability in any way, and must prioritise applications from looked after children and those with statements of special educational needs.

Departments: Internet

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for which Government websites he is responsible; how many visitors each received in the latest period for which figures are available; and what the cost  (a) was of establishing and  (b) has been of maintaining each site.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department runs 25 main Government websites (URL domains). In addition the Department operates a number of sub-sites falling under the main domains.
	There would be a disproportionate cost to provide the further information requested.
	The Department is working towards consolidation of all its websites. Public-facing content is being migrated to Directgov and business content to Businesslink.

Education: Per Capita Costs

Derek Conway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was allocated per capita by his Department to pupils in  (a) City of London,  (b) the London borough of Bexley and  (c) England in (i) 2005-06 and (ii) 2006-07; and what formula was used for such allocations.

Jim Knight: The per capita allocations for City of London, London borough of Bexley and England in 2005-06 and 2006-07 are set out as follows. Please note that it is wrong to compare funding per pupil in Bexley with City of London as the City of London:
	has the highest wage costs in the country;
	is the smallest authority in the country so is unable to take advantage of economies of scale; and
	draws its pupils from deprived backgrounds.
	
		
			  £ 
			   2005-06 EFS  2006-07 DSG 
			 England 3,580 3,642.99 
			 London borough of Bexley 3,510 3,719.15 
			 City of London 5,700 6,708.07 
			  Note: In 2005-06 local authority funding was based on Education Formula Spending (EPS) which formed the education part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The introduction of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) in 2006-07 fundamentally changed how local authorities are funded. In addition, DSG has a different coverage to EFS: EFS comprised a schools block and an LEA block (to cover LEA central functions) whereas DSG only covers the school block. LEA block items are still funded through DCLG's Local Government Finance Settlement but education items cannot be separately identified. 
		
	
	In 2005-06 school funding was part of the local government finance system. School funding was split into four blocks: primary; secondary; under fives; and high-cost pupils. The formula for each block included a basic amount per pupil with an area cost adjustment uplift. The primary, secondary and under five blocks also included an element for pupils with additional educational needs, defined as pupils with: English as an additional language/ethnicity; working families tax credit; and income support. The primary block also had an element to reflect sparsity.
	Each local authority's total Dedicated Schools Grant for 2006-07 was calculated by multiplying their full-time equivalent pupil numbers (aged 3-15) from the January 2006 pupil count by their Dedicated Schools Grant Guaranteed Unit of Funding (the Dedicated Schools Grant Guaranteed Unit of Funding is unchanged from that set in
	December 2005).
	The Dedicated Schools Grant Guaranteed Unit of Funding for 2006-07 was based on spend per pupil in 2005-06, with a basic increase of 5 per cent. per pupil (5.1 per cent. for London authorities) and headroom allocated to reflect five ministerial priorities. £30 million was also distributed between authorities who spent below the level of undamped Schools Formula Sending Share in 2005-06.

Faith Schools: Admissions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2007,  Official Report, column 254W, on faith schools: admissions, 
	(1)  if he will make it his policy to collect information on those faith schools in  (a) Birmingham,  (b) the West Midlands and  (c) England which do not give priority to children of their faith;
	(2)  what the evidential basis was for the statement in his recent letter to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak that not all schools with a religious character give priority in admissions to children of their faith.

Jim Knight: The admission arrangements for maintained schools are consulted on and determined each year by the relevant admission authority. This information is published annually by each local authority for all schools in their area in their composite prospectus for parents. We do not collect this information centrally and have no plans to do so. Through discussions with local authorities, schools and faith providers, we know that practices vary widely and that a number of schools with a religious character do not give priority in admissions to children on the basis of their faith and others offer a proportion of places to children without reference to faith.

Higher Education: Admissions

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many entrants to university undergraduate courses came from Regent's Park and Kensington North in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The latest available information is shown in the following tables. Figures for 2006/07 will be available in January 2008.
	
		
			  Entrants to undergraduate courses( 1)  from Regent's Park and Kensington North parliamentary constituency—UK higher education institutions 
			  Academic year  Number of entrants 
			 2001/02 1,610 
			 2002/03 1,805 
			 2003/04 1,690 
			 2004/05 1,685 
			 2005/06 1,640 
			 (1) Covers students on full-time and part-time modes of study.  Note: Figures are on a HESA standard registration population basis and are rounded to the nearest five.  Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)

Home Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the number of children who are educated out of school in 2006-07.

Jim Knight: Holding answer 16 May 2007
	 Local authorities arrange for education out of school in pupil referral units and other settings. The DFES annual census shows that in January 2006 23,670 pupils were educated in pupil referral units. In addition, a further 12,750 received tuition at home, in community homes, at further education colleges, or with voluntary section providers.
	We do not collect information about the number of children whose education is arranged by their parents. A recent study on the prevalence of home education in England, conducted by York Consulting, estimated that there were around 16,000 children being educated at home that were known to the local authority. We have not made any estimate of the number of home educated children that are not known to their local authority.

League Tables

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of 15-year-olds  (a) took and  (b) achieved A*-C in at least one course within the entitlement area as defined by section 85A of the Education Act 2002 of (i) arts, (ii) design and technology, (iii) humanities and (iv) modern foreign languages in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The available information is shown in the tables.
	The information for the proportion attempting and gaining grades A*-C at GCSE in modern foreign languages is available only at a disproportionate cost. This is because it would involve calculating how many pupils took and achieved grades A*-C in at least one modern foreign language. The data readily available only consider the number of attempts by all pupils and the number of these to achieve grades A*-C, meaning that there would be double counting for pupils that took more than one modern foreign language GCSE.
	Information provided for Design and Technology, Humanities and Art and Design are classified as single subjects and therefore double counting does not apply.
	
		
			  GCSE and equivalent attempts and achievements, 1997 to 2006( 1, 2)  in England— Nu mber of pupils 
			   Design and Technology  Humanities  Art and Design  Modern Foreign Languages( 3) 
			   Number of pupils entered for GCSE  Number achieved grades A*-C  Number of pupils entered for GCSE  Number achieved grades A*-C  Number of pupils entered for GCSE  Number achieved grades A*-C  Number of pupils entered for GCSE  Number achieved grades A*-C 
			 1996/97 138,396 63,332 36,067 14,793 194,666 116,178 485,810 248,669 
			 1997/98 375,453 182,193 22,419 9,123 180,735 110,856 491,684 251,385 
			 1998/99 395,155 198,420 20,393 8,586 183,157 117,134 499,451 264,782 
			 1999/00 404,832 206,554 19,393 8,356 178,219 116,373 502,294 265,766 
			 2000/01 416,015 214,539 20,495 8,719 180,627 118,196 517,780 278,722 
			 2001/02 409,414 215,786 20,608 9,126 182,056 121,864 505,649 274,665 
			 2002/03 414,324 222,927 18,856 8,179 186,968 126,132 497,938 260,057 
			 2003/04 408,525 228,126 16,687 7,338 187,504 126,915 481,521 266,343 
			 2004/05 365,559 210,408 14,887 6,643 184,812 128,009 411,318 254,802 
			 2005/06(4) 337,235 199,367 14,409 6,619 186,825 131,740 365,002 242,097 
			 (1) Including attempts and achievements in previous academic years. (2) Number of pupils on roll aged 15 at the start of the academic year. (3) Pupils who take more than one language will be double-counted. (4) Figures for 2005-06 are revised, all other figures are final. 
		
	
	
		
			  GCSE and equivalent attempts and achievements, 1997 to 2006( 1, 2)  in England—Proportion of 15-year-olds 
			   Design and Technology  Humanities  Art and Design  Modern Foreign Languages( 3) 
			   Number of pupils entered for GCSE as a proportion of all 15-year-olds  Number achieved grades A*-C as a proportion of all 15-year-olds  Number of pupils entered for GCSE as a proportion of all 15-year-olds  Number achieved grades A*-C as a proportion of all 15-year-olds  Number of pupils entered for GCSE as a proportion of all 15-year-olds  Number achieved grades A*-C as a proportion of all 15-year-olds  Number of pupils entered for GCSE as a proportion of all 15-year-olds  Number achieved grades A*-C as a proportion of all 15-year-olds 
			 1996/97 24 11 6 3 33 20 n/a n/a 
			 1997/98 65 32 4 2 31 19 n/a n/a 
			 1998/99 68 34 4 1 32 20 n/a n/a 
			 1999/00 70 36 3 1 31 20 n/a n/a 
			 2000/01 69 36 3 1 30 20 n/a n/a 
			 2001/02 67 36 3 2 30 20 n/a n/a 
			 2002/03 67 36 3 1 30 20 n/a n/a 
			 2003/04 63 35 3 1 29 20 n/a n/a 
			 2004/05 57 33 2 1 29 20 n/a n/a 
			 2005/06(4) 52 31 2 1 29 20 n/a n/a 
			 n/a = Not available. Proportion of pupils attempting and gaining GCSEs in Modern Foreign Languages is not available due to double counting. (1) Including attempts and achievements in previous academic years. (2) Number of pupils on roll aged 15 at the start of the academic year. (3) Pupils who take more than one language will be double-counted so the proportion of all 15-year-olds has not been calculated. (4) Figures for 2005/06 are revised, all other figures are final.

Mandarin

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment his Department has made of the difficulty of Mandarin GCSE in comparison with other modern language GCSEs.

Jim Knight: The Department has not made any assessment of the difficulty of Mandarin in comparison with other modern language GCSEs. However, the Key Stage 3 programme of study for languages sets out statutory modifications to the level descriptors for listening, responding and reading for pupils studying Mandarin and Cantonese. These modifications assume that Mandarin may be spoken at a slower speed, the range of topics may be more limited and pupils may work with a limited number of characters. There are no similar modifications for other languages.

Mandarin

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding has been provided for the teaching of Mandarin in schools.

Jim Knight: We do not promote the teaching of one language over another, and have not provided any specific funding for the teaching of Mandarin in schools. It is for individual schools to decide which languages they offer. However, the Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hanban (Office of the Chinese Language Council International) in July 2006 designed to promote Chinese learning and teaching in English schools and to increase cooperation between the two countries.

Mandarin

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with education providers on the teaching of Mandarin in schools.

Jim Knight: The Secretary of State has not had any discussions with education providers on the teaching of Mandarin in schools. The Languages Review, published in March 2007, proposed widening the range of languages taught in schools. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has recently finished consulting on the revised Key Stage 3 languages curriculum. The consultation proposed removing the requirement that schools must first teach a European language to allow them to teach any major spoken world language, including Mandarin, depending on local need and circumstances. We are considering the potential implications of these changes for the school workforce.

Nursery Nurses

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people were employed as nursery nurses in the most recent period for which figures are available; how many unfilled nursery places there were in that period; what the balance was of provision between private and non-private nurseries; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: There are no figures available for the number of nursery nurses employed in the nursery sector. However, the Government's latest survey of nurseries carried out in 2005 (Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey 2005—Full Day Care Providers) showed that 104,800 paid staff, 80 per cent. of all paid staff, working in children's nurseries in England had a qualification relevant to working with children and young people.
	The 2005 Childcare and Early Year Providers Survey also estimated that in summer 2005 there were approximately 88,400 vacant full day care places in England, 17 per cent. of all places; and that 60 per cent. of full day care provision in England was privately owned, with the remaining 40 per cent. split across the voluntary, local authority, school and other sectors.

Pre-school Education: Finance

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what proportion of the money allocated to local authorities to provide the nursery education grant was passed to nursery providers in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  for what reasons nursery providers in different local authorities do not receive a uniform amount for the nursery education grant per child.

Beverley Hughes: Nursery education grant was phased out in 2001/02. Funding for the free entitlement to early education for three and four-year-olds is provided through general school funding.
	Estimated expenditure on under fives by local authorities in 2005-06, the latest year for which outturn data is available, is £3,473 million.
	Local authorities—in consultation with their School Forums—are responsible for deciding how best to apply their total school and early years funding across all age groups and between different types of provider, based on an assessment of local circumstances. Therefore it is a matter for each local authority to determine the levels of funding for providers in their area. The 2006 Code of Practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four-year-olds makes clear that local authorities should fund providers equitably, fairly and transparently.
	The Schools, Early Years and 14-16 Funding consultation which ends on 1 June sets out a number of proposals for changes to the way the early years funding system operates and can be accessed at:
	www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations

Schools: Finance

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been allocated for each One School Pathfinder Project; when he expects each project to be completed; and when the decision was made on each allocation.

Jim Knight: The following table shows funding allocations for each BSF One School Pathfinder project. Funding for phase one projects was initially approved in May 2006. Funding for phase two projects was initially approved in January 2007. Phase one projects were given an ambitious target of completion in September 2008, and phase two by September 2009. The following dates indicate our latest information on when new facilities will be open at each school.
	
		
			  Phase 1 projects  Name of school  Current estimated opening date  Funding  (£ million) 
			 Barnet East Barnet school September 2009 25.5 
			 Bexley New school September 2010 23.8 
			 Cornwall Penryn college September 2008 22 
			 Devon Bideford college December 2009 31.7 
			 Dorset Queen Elizabeth's CE VC school April 2009 28.4 
			 Gloucestershire Rednock school July 2009 27.2 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames Chessington community college April 2008 23 
			 Leicestershire King Edward VII school plus sixth form September 2009 24.1 
			 North Yorkshire Richmond school September 2009 29.6 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames Teddington school September 2009 30.0 
			 Torbay Torquay community college March 2009 22.2 
			 Warrington Culcheth high school September 2009 21.7 
			 Wiltshire George Ward school September 2009 25.1 
			  Phase 2 projects
			 Bath and North East Somerset Writhlington school April 2010 25.5 
			 Bracknell Forest Garth Hill college September 2009 33.2 
			 Bromley Langley Park school September 2009 34.2 
			 Buckinghamshire Cressex community school September 2009 30.5 
			 East Sussex Bexhill high school September 2010 33.1 
			 Harrow Whitmore high school September 2009 31.5 
			 Herefordshire The Minster college December 2009 21.2 
			 Isle of Wight Cowes high school September 2010 30.5 
			 North Somerset Nailsea community school January 2010 28.8 
			 Plymouth Estover community college September 2009 26.5 
			 Redbridge Loxford school of science and technology September 2009 38.6 
			 Rutland Vale of Catmose college September 2009 17.4 
			 Sefton Litherland high school April 2010 22.3 
			 Shropshire William Brookes school September 2009 19.8 
			 South Gloucestershire Filton high school September 2010 25.4 
			 Southend-on-Sea Belfairs high school September 2009 25.1 
			 Sutton Stanley Park high school September 2009 32.9 
			 Trafford St. Ambrose college September 2009 20.7 
			 West Berkshire St. Bartholomew's school September 2009 31.6 
			 West Sussex Bognor Regis community college September 2009 35.9 
			 Wigan Abraham Guest high school September 2009 18.1 
			 Windsor & Maidenhead Holyport Manor special school September 2009 23.6 
			 Wirral Woodchurch high school September 2010 25.2 
			 Wokingham Waingels college September 2010 29.1 
			 York Joseph Rowntree school September 2009 25.4

Schools: Playing Fields

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many disposals of school playing fields of areas of land greater than 0.2 hectares were proposed in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many general consents have been approved since the School Playing Fields Advisory Panel was set up; and under what conditions and circumstances general consents are approved for school playing fields;
	(3)  what average area in hectares of playing fields is owned by  (a) all schools,  (b) academies,  (c) specialist schools and  (d) specialist sports schools;
	(4)  how many of the planning applications for development of school playing fields were for improvements to the facilities in each of the last 10 years;
	(5)  how many  (a) applications to develop and  (b) developments there have been of school playing fields in the last 10 years; and what the area in hectares was of each;
	(6)  how many applications for development on school playing fields have been made in the last 10 years, broken down by region.

Jim Knight: In the last 10 years the Department has received a total of 248 applications (109 of which in respect of closed schools) that involve the disposal of an area of land capable of forming a sports pitch of at least 0.2 hectares. Of the total received, 54 must be subsequently withdrawn, 16 are still under consideration, 176 have been approved and two were rejected. Of the approved applications, the sale proceeds were used to provide new or improved sports or educational facilities in every case.
	Since the School Playing Field Advisory Panel was set up, in July 2001, the Department has approved 1,076 general consent applications. The effect of a general consent is that, in certain circumstances, the specific prior consent of the Secretary of State is not required to dispose of school playing field land. Such circumstances include the disposal of an area of land to provide a facility as part of an extended school, such as childcare, lifelong learning etc.; the disposal of the ancillary social and recreational areas that surround the buildings of a closed school; certain disposals where playing fields remain as playing fields (for example a transfer to the district council); the exchange of one school playing field for a replacement newly-created school playing field of at least equal size, resulting is no net loss of facility; the disposal of areas of playing field under 50 square metres; and a temporary loss of school playing field.
	Data on school playing fields were supplied to the Department by local authorities in 2001 and 2003. However, because the data were incomplete, it is not possible to assess accurately the number and area of school playing fields.
	Education Ministers only have power to regulate the disposal of school playing fields. They do not have any statutory powers to govern the future use or development of school playing fields. These are matters for local planning authorities to consider.

Schools: Sports

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much funding has been claimed by primary schools for teacher training under the PE, School Sport and Club Links scheme.

Jim Knight: holding answer 14 May 2007
	 As part of their core funding, £36.3 million was claimed from 2004 to 2006 by School Sport Partnerships for the release of primary school teachers from the timetable to undertake training in physical education. This enables teachers to take places on the national PE, School Sport and Club Links strategy's professional development programme. This has seen over 143,000 teacher training places being undertaken by primary school teachers from April 2005 to March 2007. These places develop teacher' skills in delivering high quality physical education for their pupils.

Science: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 20 April 2007,  Official Report, column 701W, on science: curriculum, for what reason specific mention of  (a) role of lung structure in gas exchange,  (b) tectonic processes,  (c) geomorphological processes,  (d) weather and climate,  (e) ecosystems,  (f) population distribution and change,  (g) the growth and development of settlements and  (h) specific properties of light and sound is no longer proposed to be included in the National Curriculum programmes of study.

Jim Knight: The changes in science and geography are in line with the remit that the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority was given in February 2005 when it was asked to review the Key Stage 3 curriculum. Although some of the language in the draft programmes of study has been changed, the extent of the subject content remains the same. These changes have been made to ensure that pupils can progress from their Key Stage 2 understanding through Key Stage 3 to a point where they can progress to Key Stage 4.
	The following table covers the inclusion of the specific topics in the new Key Stage 3 programmes of study for science and geography.
	
		
			  Topic  Where it will be covered in the new Key Stage 3 science or geography programmes of study 
			  (a) role of lung structure in gas exchange Science—Range and content—Organisms, behaviour and health bullet 1 (respiration is a life process) 
			  (b) tectonic processes Geography—pupils to learn about how human and physical processes shape places, landscapes and societies 
			  (c) geomorphological processes Science—New section in Range and content—The environment Earth and Universe 
			  Geography—pupils to learn about how human and physical processes shape places, landscapes and societies 
			  (d) weather and climate Geography—pupils to carry out studies that involve physical geography and physical processes—this should include study of weather and climate. 
			  (e) ecosystems Science—New section in range and content—The environment Earth and Universe 
			  Geography—pupils to learn about how human and physical processes shape places, landscapes and societies 
			  (f) population distribution and change Science—Some precursor work in new section in range and content—The environment Earth and Universe 
			  Geography—pupils carry out studies that involve human geography, built and managed environments and human processes 
			  (g) the growth and development of settlements Geography—pupils to learn about how human and physical processes shape places, landscapes and societies 
			  (h) specific properties of light and sound Range and content—Energy, electricity and forces, explanatory text (the properties and behaviour of light and sound)

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1575W, on secondary education: curriculum, 
	(1)  whether the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority prepared any  (a) systematic reviews and  (b) quantitative meta-analyses on the principles of effective teaching during the preparation of the secondary curriculum review;
	(2)  what evidence the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority used to base its decision to focus on explicit teaching of metacognitive strategies in the secondary curriculum review supporting documents;
	(3)  what quantitative effect size was identified for each of the principles of effective teaching by the review of research into effective teaching carried out in the preparation of the secondary curriculum review.

Jim Knight: As part of its ongoing remit to monitor the National Curriculum, QCA draws on research evidence about effective teaching from a wide range of sources. Analysis and evaluation of the principles of effective teaching developed by Ellis et al was not part of the curriculum review remit given to QCA, nor was this an explicit part of the process of developing the new curriculum.
	The National Curriculum is primarily about setting out an entitlement to learning in terms of the knowledge, skills and understanding that forms the statutory part of a wider school curriculum. The National Curriculum does not prescribe specific approaches to pedagogy; it is for schools themselves to choose the teaching methodologies most appropriate for the material being taught and the needs of individual learners.

Secondary Education: Curriculum

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1575W, on secondary education: curriculum, what evidence the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has found to suggest that learning how to learn can be taught independently of subject content.

Jim Knight: The ability to reflect on learning and how to improve performance is an essential skill for life and work. This is why it continues to be an important element of the National Curriculum.
	Schools provide opportunities for young people to develop these skills through their approach to pedagogy and assessment, and particularly through their approach to assessment for learning. These opportunities can take place within subject contexts and beyond them.
	As part of its ongoing remit to monitor the National Curriculum, QCA draws on research evidence about effective teaching from a wide range of sources. Evidence for successful approaches to assessment for learning can be found on the DFES Standards Site at:
	http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/personalisedlearning/five/afl/.

Teachers

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many physics teachers there are in the maintained sector; and how many  (a) are under the age of (i) 40 and (ii) 30 years and  (b) have (A) A-level physics and (B) a degree in physics;
	(2)  how many chemistry teachers there are in the maintained sector; and how many  (a) are under the age of (i) 40 and (ii) 30 years and  (b) have (A) A-level chemistry and (B) a degree in chemistry;
	(3)  how many biology teachers there are in the maintained sector; and how many  (a) are under the age of (i) 40 and (ii) 30 years and  (b) have (A) A-level biology, (B) a degree in biology and (C) a degree in biological sciences;
	(4)  how many mathematics teachers there are in the maintained sector; and how many  (a) are under the age of (i) 40 and (ii) 30 years and  (b) have (A) A-level mathematics and (B) a degree in mathematics.

Jim Knight: In 2005 the Department commissioned research about mathematics and science teachers from the National Foundation for Education Research. The report, entitled 'Mathematics and Science in Secondary Schools: The Deployment of Teachers and Support Staff to Deliver the Curriculum', can be found on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR708.pdf.
	The research included a survey of a representative sample of 40 per cent. of secondary schools in England. Projections were made of the total number of teachers in secondary schools in England delivering the mathematics and science curriculums. The findings also included distributions of the teachers by age and by highest qualification in the subject being taught.
	 Mathematics
	The research found that there were an estimated 27,400 teachers teaching mathematics in secondary schools in England, of whom an estimated 21,100 were mathematics specialists(1) including 11,700 with a degree in mathematics. The following table shows the distribution of mathematics teachers in terms of their mathematics qualifications. The teachers are counted once against their highest qualification in mathematics. For example, if an individual holds a degree and a PGCE in maths, they are counted in the figures for "degree in maths"; if an individual holds a PGCE in maths but a degree in another subject, they are counted against "PGCE incorporating maths".
	(1) A "specialist" is defined as holding a degree in or incorporating maths, or having studied maths at initial teacher training.
	
		
			  Highest post-A-level qualification held by mathematics teachers in the sample 
			  Highest qualification in mathematics  Teachers of mathematics 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 Degree in maths 1,335 42 
			 B.Sc or BA with QTS or B.Ed in maths 524 16 
			 Cert Ed incorporating maths 193 6 
			 PGCE incorporating maths 583 18 
			 Other post-A-level maths qualification 140 4 
			 A-Level maths 189 6 
			 No post-16 maths qualification 251 8 
			 No response 5 <1 
			
			 Total 3,220 100 
			 Due to rounding, percentages may not sum to 100 Source: NFER survey of teachers of mathematics, 2005. 
		
	
	The following table provides a breakdown of the age profile of mathematics teachers by their highest post-A-level qualification in maths.
	
		
			  Age range of mathematics teachers in the sample by their highest post-A-level qualification in maths 
			  Percentage 
			   Age 
			   Under 25  25 to 29  30 to 39  40 to 49  50 to 59  60+ 
			 Degree in maths 7 18 26 23 24 2 
			 B.Ed/QTS in maths 3 8 25 34 28 2 
			 Cert Ed in maths 0 0 0 14 80 6 
			 PGCE in maths 4 19 35 28 14 1 
			 Other post-A-level maths qualification 8 24 26 24 18 1 
			 No post-A-level maths qualification 3 8 17 29 42 <1 
			
			 Total 5 15 25 26 28 2 
			  Notes: 1. Base: 3,036 2. Due to rounding, percentages may not sum to 100.  Source: NFER survey of teachers of mathematics, 2005 
		
	
	 Science
	The research found that there were an estimated 31,000 teachers teaching science in secondary schools in England, of whom an estimated 28,800 were specialists(2) in science. This included an estimated 13,700 biology specialists, 7,900 chemistry specialists, 5,800 physics specialists and 1,400 other science specialists.
	The following table shows the breakdown of the samples of science teachers in terms of their qualifications in science. As before, individuals are shown against their highest qualification, so if an individual holds a degree in chemistry and a PGCE in science, they are included in the figures for "degree in chemistry". However, if an individual holds a first degree in biology followed by a masters degree in biochemistry they are counted in the "degree in biology" category as "school sciences" take priority.
	(2) A "specialist" is defined as holding a degree in or incorporating the relevant science, or having studied the relevant science at initial teacher training.
	
		
			  Highest post-A-level qualification held by science teachers in the sample 
			  Highest qualification in sciences  Teachers of science 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 Degree in Biology 753 27 
			 Degree in Chemistry 440 16 
			 Degree in Physics 279 10 
			 Degree in general science 158 6 
			 Degree in other science 415 15 
			 B.Sc or BA with QTS or B.Ed in science 311 11 
			 Cert Ed incorporating science 109 4 
			 PGCE incorporating science 184 7 
			 Other post-A-level science qualification 49 2 
			 A-level science 29 1 
			 No post-16 science qualification 27 1 
			 No response 2 <1 
			
			 Total 2,756 100 
			  Note: Due to founding, percentages may not sum to 100.  Source: NFER survey of teachers of science, 2005. 
		
	
	The "degree in biology" category can be disaggregated further and the next table shows the proportion of teachers holding a biology-related degree.
	
		
			  Type of degree in biology held by science teachers whose highest post-A-level qualification in science was a degree in biology 
			  Type of degree  Teachers of science 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 BA/BSc Biology 340 12 
			 BA/BSc Biology related (e.g. botany, zoology) 278 10 
			 BA/BSc Biology and science related 72 3 
			 BA/BSc Biology and non-science related 28 1 
			 MA/MSc Biology 48 2 
			 MA/MSc Other science subject(1) 27 1 
			 DPhil/PhD Biology 40 1 
			 DPhil/PhD Other science subject 16 <1 
			
			 Total 753 27 
			 (1) "Other science subject" includes medical-related sciences, biochemistry, environmental science, etc—see section 6.3.5  Note: Multiple response question: respondents could give more than one degree, therefore percentages may not sum to 27.  Source: NFER surveys of science teachers, 2005. 
		
	
	The following table provides a breakdown of the age profile of science teachers by their highest post-A-level qualification in science.
	
		
			  Age range of science teachers by highest post-A-level qualification in science 
			  Percentage 
			  Age range  Degree in biology  Degree in chemistry  Degree in physics  Degree in general science  Degree in other science  B.Ed/QTS in science  PGCE in science  Cert Ed in science  All science teachers 
			 Under 25 6 5 8 3 7 7 4 0 6 
			 25-29 27 18 13 11 26 14 18 0 20 
			 30-39 29 31 26 23 32 16 34 1 27 
			 40-49 23 24 27 31 20 27 30 16 24 
			 50-59 15 21 24 30 14 32 15 77 22 
			 60+ <1 1 2 2 <1 4 0 6 1 
			   
			 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 
			  Note: Base: 2,597 (results for "other post-A-level qualification" in science and "no post-A-level qualification" in science not shown)  Source: NFER survey of science teachers, 2005. 
		
	
	The Department has commissioned a 2007 Secondary School Curriculum and Staffing Survey and fieldwork was completed before Easter. The survey will provide more up to date information on the qualifications of teachers delivering all subjects in secondary schools. A report will be published during the summer.

Teachers: Calderdale

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers were judged by Ofsted  (a) not to be adhering to the school behaviour policy and  (b) not to be complying with management requests at the Ridings school in Calderdale.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 14 May 2007:
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for reply.
	You asked how many teachers were judged by Ofsted (a) not to be adhering to the school behaviour policy and (b) not to be complying with management requests at the Ridings School in Calderdale.
	Ofsted does not collect this detailed information. Inspectors observed a number of inadequate lessons at The Ridings School, and in some, the school's behaviour policy was not being followed. Other evidence, such as that emerging from discussions with support staff, indicated that children were being sent to the internal exclusion unit without earlier procedures being followed, supported the view that the problem was more widespread than those specific teachers. The school does not disagree with this judgement. However, the school inspection framework does not require—and indeed, there is insufficient time—for inspectors to observe all teachers in lessons.
	Similarly, the number of staff not complying with management requests was not pursued in detail. The school's management team, governors and the Local Authority gave this as one reason for the difficulty the school was experiencing in moving forward and the evidence seen by inspectors triangulated this view. For example, an inspector observed a lesson taught by a teacher who was not a specialist in that particular subject area. It was a very poor lesson in which there was no planning, school behaviour policies were not followed by the teacher and the work was not appropriate for the students. As a result, students made no progress in their learning. The teacher explained that he was following union guidance to not adhere to any school policy regarding planning of lessons, preparing work and following behaviour policies when teaching lessons which were not in their specialist subject area.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

Young People: Carers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding was provided for young people who care for family members in each of the last three years.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 16 May 2007
	 As part of their general funding, local authorities have substantial resources to fulfil their responsibilities towards children and families. They also receive the Carers Special Grant which supports local authorities in providing breaks and services for carers in England. Department of Health guidance indicates that councils should consider spending around 20 per cent. of their allocation on young carers and those caring for disabled children. The Carers Grant was £125 million in 2004-05, £185 million in 2005-06 and £185 million in 2006-07. It is worth £185 million in 2007-08.
	The Vulnerable Children Grant, which identified young carers as a vulnerable group, was allocated to local authorities on a formula basis. It was worth (including matched funding) a total of £84 million in 2004-05 and 2005-06. From 2006-07 onwards, the grant is no longer separately identified within DfES funding to local authority children's services. Within their overall provision, local authorities with children's services responsibilities are free to make spending decisions in accordance with their own assessment of local needs and priorities. Out-turn expenditure information on individual vulnerable groups is not collected centrally.
	The Government have also funded the Children's Society to provide the "Young Carers Initiative" at a rate of £80,000 over each of the three years up to 2006-07. The successor grant for 2007-08 to 2009-10 has been substantially increased. The grant for 2007-08 will be £205,651.

Young People: NEET

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of young people were not in education, employment or training in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The following table gives the proportion of 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) in England in each of the last five years for which figures are available.
	
		
			  End of calendar year  Proportion of 16-18 year olds not in training education, employment (NEET)  (%) 
			 2001 10 
			 2002 10 
			 2003 10 
			 2004 10 
			 2005 provisional 11

Young People: NEET

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of young people in the London borough of Bexley were not in education, employment or training in each of the last 10 years.

Parmjit Dhanda: The following table gives the proportion of 16-18 year olds in the London borough of Bexley who were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Figures for earlier years are not available.
	
		
			  Proportion of 16-18 year olds in London  b orough of Bexley not in education, employment or training 
			   Percentage NEET 
			 2004 7.8 
			 2005 8.2 
			 2006 6.9 
		
	
	These figures are drawn from the operational client management systems maintained the Connexions Service. They include 16-18 year olds known to the Connexions; young people who attended independent schools or were at school outside England may be excluded. The age relates to those of calendar year age 16-18 on the date of measurement. The figures are for the average percentage NEET between November and January each year.
	This NEET measure is that used for setting and monitoring local authority NEET targets. The definition differs from that used to measure the national departmental PSA NEET target. Along with not covering the entire population, the Connexions NEET measure excludes those on gap years, or in custody. The PSA measure is for academic rather than calendar age 16-18.

Youth Services

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government is on target to meet the aim, identified in section 4.2 of Youth Matters: Next Steps, of a London-wide prospectus of summer opportunities; and what steps are being taken to give opportunities for summer activities to teenagers from areas of the country other than London.

Parmjit Dhanda: On behalf of DfES, Summer Uni London is developing a website as an online prospectus to highlight the wide range of opportunities available to London's young people during the summer months, and enable them to sign up for those activities. When the website is launched this summer, more than half of the 33 London boroughs will detail the activities on offer in their areas through that website, and we expect all London boroughs to do so by summer 2008.
	In respect of areas outside of London, the Department previously managed the Positive Activities for Young People programme (PAYP) which provided diversionary and developmental activities for young people across the country aged 8-19 during the school holidays. This funding stream passed to local area agreements (LAAs) from April 2007. It is now the legislative duty of all local authorities to provide positive activities in their locality. They are best placed to take decisions according to local need.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Direct Mail: Prosecutions

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many successful prosecutions the Information Commissioner made against direct mailers in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Vera Baird: I have been asked to reply.
	The Information Commissioner has not made any prosecutions against direct mailers in any of the last five years.

Direct Mail: Prosecutions

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what powers the Information Commissioner has to curb irresponsible direct mailers; and if he will make a statement.

Vera Baird: I have been asked to reply.
	The Information Commissioner has regulatory powers to bring about compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. In serious cases involving direct mailing, the Commissioner has the power to issue an enforcement notice requiring an organisation or individual to take specified action to comply with the Act. Failure to comply with such a notice is a criminal offence.
	The Commissioner also has the ability to seek an enforcement order under the Enterprise Act 2002 in cases to require an organisation to cease conduct, which is harmful to consumers.

Measures: EU Action

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry following the announcement of revised policy on weights and measures in the EU Trade and Industry Commissioner's recent statement, if he will press for the late Mr. Steven Thoburn to receive a posthumous Royal Pardon.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 15 May 2007
	The Government have no such plans.

Nuclear Power: Research

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to support research into nuclear fusion.

Malcolm Wicks: The UK invests in fusion research through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Almost all UK fusion research currently takes place at UKAEA Culham, which will receive grant support from EPSRC of £95 million over the four years to 2007-08. This is in addition to the EU funding for the Joint European Torus and other activities at Culham, and the EU participation in the ITER project.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Australia: Whales

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Australian Government on whaling.

Ian McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no recent discussions with the Australian Government on the subject of whaling.
	The UK and Australia share very similar views in their opposition to commercial whaling.
	The UK Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission (IWC) discussed whaling with the Australian Alternate Commissioner, and others, at a meeting of like-minded anti-whaling countries in Washington in January. The UK Commissioner also held discussions with the Australian Commissioner bilaterally in London in December 2006, and then again in New York in May. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs officials continue to work closely with staff at the Australian high commission in London, and directly with the Australian IWC delegation, with whom we have an excellent working relationship. The UK and Australia will be represented at ministerial level during this year's IWC meeting in Anchorage on 28 to 31 May, during which the Ministers will hold regular discussions.

Embassies

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Cabinet Ministers stayed at the British Embassy in  (a) Beijing between 19 and 24 February 2005 and  (b) Dubai between 19 and 23 September 2003.

Geoff Hoon: No Cabinet Ministers stayed in these embassies. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer was in Beijing for one day during this period. He was also in Dubai from 19 to 22 September 2003 to attend the Annual Meetings of Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund (IMF). As chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee the IMF provided and paid for his accommodation.

Iraq

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate she has made of the proportion of unspent funds in the Iraqi budget in each of the last three financial years.

Ian McCartney: The following table contains estimates of Government of Iraq (GoI) planned and actual revenue and expenditure between 2004 and 2007 in millions of Iraqi Dinars. The financial year in Iraq runs on our calendar year. We do not hold accurate estimates for expenditure figures for 2004 as this marks the transition from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Interim Iraqi Government.
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Budget estimate of revenues(1) 21,729,100 28,958,608 45,392,304 42,064,530 
			 Budget estimate of expenditures(2) n/a 35,981,168 50,963,161 51,727,468 
			 Estimate of final revenues(3) 26,595,000 36,655,000 49,265,000 n/a 
			 Estimate of final expenditures(4) n/a 29,130,000 38,922,000 n/a 
			 (1) Source: GoI budget. This excludes some items including grants from donors and some government operations including sale of State Owned Enterprises. (2) Source: GoI budget. This excludes some items including donor financed spending and subsidies in kind to state owned enterprises. (3) Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) published reports (4) Source: IMF published reports.

Iraq: Christianity

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports she has received on persecution of the Christian community in Iraq; and what estimate she has made of the number of Christians who have  (a) been displaced from their homes in Iraq and  (b) left Iraq.

Geoff Hoon: We monitor the situation of Iraq's Christian and other minority communities closely through our regular contacts with the Government of Iraq, Christian politicians and community representatives in Iraq and London. Most recently, on 10 May our embassy in Baghdad raised the issue of threats against Christians in the Dora district of Baghdad with the Iraqi Minister of Interior and encouraged the Iraqi Government to take action.
	We remain deeply concerned about the impact of violence on all Iraqis and continue to press the Government of Iraq to improve security and support international efforts to care for those affected by violence. Since the beginning of 2007 we have allocated £10 million for the humanitarian effort co-ordinated by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and International Committee of the Red Cross. This brings our total humanitarian contribution in Iraq to over £125 million since 2003.
	While there are no comprehensive or reliable figures available on the number of Christians displaced or who have left Iraq since 2003, the International Organisation for Migration estimates that 7-8 per cent. of people internally displaced in Iraq in 2006 were Christians.

Uganda: International Conferences

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost will be of the three-day Commonwealth meeting in Uganda in November 2007; how much will be met by  (a) her Department and  (b) other UK Government Departments; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The Government of Uganda will meet overall costs of hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which takes place in Kampala in November. The Government are not contributing to these costs. However, UK officials' and Ministers' travel and accommodation costs will be met by their parent Departments.

UN Resolutions

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which states have not presented to the Security Council Committee a first report on steps they have taken or intend to take to implement resolution 1540 (2004).

Ian McCartney: As of 1 May, the following states had not submitted to the Security Council Committee, established pursuant to resolution 1540, a first report on steps they had taken or intended to take to implement UN Security Council resolution 1540: Afghanistan; Barbados; Bhutan; Botswana; Burundi; Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Congo; Cote d'lvoire; Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Equatorial Guinea; Ethiopia; Fiji; Gabon; Gambia; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Haiti; Lesotho; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Micronesia (Federated States of); Mozambique; Nauru; Niger; Palau; Papua New Guinea; Rwanda; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; San Marino; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; Somalia; Sudan; Suriname; Swaziland; Timor-Leste; Togo; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.

UN Resolutions

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will place in the Library a copy of UK reports to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004).

Ian McCartney: The UK reports to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) will be placed in the Library of the House and a copy of the reports will be sent to the right hon. Member.

JUSTICE

Courts: Custodial Treatment

Edward Garnier: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the average cost was per prisoner per night of housing a prisoner in a court cell in each of the last six months for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: To date, one invoice to the value of £120,000 (excluding VAT) has been paid to cover the contingency of having places available in court cells between 17 January and 6 February.
	This covers the availability of 380 places in court cells (19 places for 20 nights), giving a cost per place of around £300.
	12 prisoner nights were spent in court cells during this period.

Home Detention Curfews

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice 
	(1)  what the cost per prisoner was of the Home Detention Curfew scheme in each year since 1999;
	(2)  how many electronic tags were used as part of the Home Detention Curfew scheme in each year since 1999; and what the cost is of an individual electronic tag.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The current daily cost of monitoring a person on HDC is about £14. This and other financial data related to HDC can be found in paragraphs 1.14-1.16 of the National Audit Office report on Electronic Monitoring of February 2006 at:
	www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/05-06/0506800.pdf
	The cost per prisoner of operating the Home Detention Curfew (HDC) scheme in each year since 1999 has not been calculated centrally and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	For information on the number of prisoners subject to electronic monitoring under HDC I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1582W. The exact number of tags used for this purpose is not calculated centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The amount payable under the contracts for delivering the service is not broken down by individual tag or other equipment costs.

Parking: Fines

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many parking tickets were issued by post in each of the last 12 months; and how many such fines entailed increased payments as a result of late payment.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data are not collected centrally to the details required.
	The penalty charge notices (PCNs) and fixed penalty notices (FPNs) collections held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform do not distinguish between obstruction, waiting and parking contraventions. Tickets issued by post are not identified.

Prison Accommodation

Edward Garnier: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice in which prisons each of the 20,000 new places provided in the last 10 years were located; and when the contracts in respect of these places were let.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Of the 20,000 places provided in the prison estate since 1997, around 17,000 are new build places. Around 3,000 places have been provided as crowded accommodation within the newly built places.
	Nine new prisons have opened since 1997, providing around 6,000 of the 17,000 new build places. The contract dates for each are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Establishment  Contract date 
			 Pare 4 January 1996 
			 Altcourse 20 December 1995 
			 Lowdham Grange 7 November 1996 
			 Ashfield 1 July 1998 
			 Forest Bank 6 July 1998 
			 Rye Hill 23 July 1999 
			 Dovegate 27 September 1999 
			 Bronzefield 20 December 2002 
			 Peterborough 4 February 2003 
		
	
	Since 1997 there have also been expansions within around 80 existing prisons providing approximately 11,000 new places of the 17,000.

Prison Service

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice pursuant to her answer of 31 January 2007,  Official Report, column 367W, on the Prison Service, 
	(1)  how many inmates have not been fingerprinted in the prison population; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many prison establishments are not in full compliance with the National Security Framework policy on fingerprinting; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Prison Service: Career Structure

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what mechanisms exist to regulate the promotion of staff working within HM Prison Service; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Promotion in the Prison Service is based on competence. For most posts this will be by way of a competence based application form and interview. Job Simulation Assessment Centres (JSACs) are used to accredit staff at key operational promotion points. In exceptional circumstances, a managed appointment may be used to post someone on promotion.

Prison Service: Manpower

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the shortfall is of prison staff at  (a) operational support grade,  (b) prison officer,  (c) senior prison officer,  (d) principal prison officer and  (e) governor grade level; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The shortfall against staffing requirement across the public sector Prison Service in the specified grades is shown in the table. Contracted prisons have different grade structures and are therefore excluded.
	
		
			  Shortfall against operational staffing requirement 
			  Grade  Shortfall at 30 April 2007( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3) 
			 Operational Support Grades 245 
			 Prison Officer 596 
			 Senior Officer 104 
			 Principal Officer 33 
			 Operational Managers (previously known as Governors) 36 
			 (1) The shortfall is shown after accounting for the contribution of contracted supplementary hours among officers and agency staff for OSGs and is the sum of shortfalls at all establishments that have a shortfall in one or more grade types. (2) The totals have not been offset by surpluses at other locations. (3) The information is derived from the Personnel Corporate Database, Oracle HRMS and Quarterly Forecast Change Forms. These systems are liable to the normal inaccuracies associated with any large-scale reporting systems.

Prison Service: Pay

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the cost would be to HM Prison Service of paying off all outstanding time off in lieu hours at the contract hours rate; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not the policy of the Prison Service to make payment to staff in respect of outstanding time off in lieu except in exceptional circumstances i.e. a member of staff leaving the service. However, at 31 March 2006, the date of the last set of audited accounts, the cost of paying all outstanding amounts would have been £1,470,713 at the contracted hours rate.

Prison Service: Pay

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how much was spent by HM Prison Service on payments to staff whilst suspended from duty in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Prison Service does not summarise the costs in this way and would need to review individual files which could be done only at a disproportionate cost.

Prison Service: Pay

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what mechanisms exist to determine the award of bonuses within HM Prison Service; who is responsible for determining the size of the budget to be used for bonuses; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Prison Service Order 8480 Performance Recognition details the criteria which determine the award of bonuses within HM Prison Service. These criteria allow managers to award a bonus payment of up to £2,000 and, with Director General approval, a bonus payment of between £2,001 and £20,000. The size of the budget for bonuses is determined by the budget holder and may not exceed 0.5 per cent. of the pay bill costs in any business unit.

Prison Service: Training

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the average cost was of  (a) recruiting and  (b) training a prison officer in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested on the average cost of recruiting and training a prison officer is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Prison Service: Unfair Dismissal

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what the cost was to HM Prison Service in each of the last four years for  (a) compensating staff sacked unfairly,  (b) compensating staff constructively dismissed and  (c) paying the total legal costs of these dismissals; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Prison Service does not summarise the costs in this way and would need to review individual files which could be done only at a disproportionate cost. The total amount of compensation paid to staff, including legal costs in each of the last four years was:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2003-04 913,645 
			 2004-05 948,089 
			 2005-06 1,797,823 
			 2006-07 493,991

Prison Service: Working Hours

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what hours  (a) non-operational and  (b) operational prison governors are expected to work; what salary is received by each; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Prison Service does not have non-operational prison governors. Operational managers have a pattern of attendance that is unpredictable. It is impossible to construct weekly conditioned hours as limits for normal attendance are variable. However, regard is taken of the working time regulations 48 hours average weekly limit.
	Salary rates for operational managers are determined annually by the Prison Service Pay Review Body (PSPRB). Current rates from 1 April 2007 are:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Grade  Minimum p.a.  Maximum p.a. 
			 Senior manager A 60,442 77,945 
			 Senior manager B 55,528 76,793 
			 Senior manager C 53,357 69,157 
			 Senior manager D 44,589 63,535 
			 Manager E 29,184 43,927 
			 Manager F 26,280 37,262 
			 Manager G 23,434 30,676 
		
	
	A required hours addition is also payable to operational managers E to G at a rate of £5,356 per annum.

Prison Service: Working Hours

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice 
	(1)  what definition of excessive working hours is used by HM Prison Service; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to reduce the culture of long hours in HM Prison Service; what  (a) monitoring and  (b) controls are in place to support this objective; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Uniformed grades are contractually required to work 39 hours per week, average on a predictable shift cycle. Non-operational governor grades are required to notionally work 41 hours in the London area and 42 elsewhere, including meal breaks. Operational governors work on the basis of being available to respond to emergency situations and therefore are unable to work a set shift cycle. However, working arrangements are set so as to ensure that there is an on-call rota system to ensure hours are spread evenly across available staff. Governors do not work regularly in excess of guidelines set by the Working Time Directive.
	In-charge governors are aware of the Working Time Directive and are responsible for monitoring the hours worked by all staff in their establishment.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice pursuant to her answer of 31 January 2007,  Official Report, column 367W, on prisons, what assessment she has made of the level of compliance with the requirements for fingerprinting at prison establishments; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons: Compensation

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice which five prison establishments spent the highest proportion of their budget on  (a) legal costs and  (b) compensation payments in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to allocate legal costs to individual compensation payments without reviewing individual files which could be done only at a disproportionate cost.
	Compensation payments are not met from establishment budgets but are funded from centrally held funds. The five prison with the highest costs as a proportion of their budget in each of the last five years are:
	 2006-07
	Northallerton
	Cardiff
	Blantyre House
	Dover
	Swansea
	 2005-06
	Dover
	Liverpool
	Swaleside
	Hewell Grange
	Wormwood Scrubs
	 2004-05
	Chelmsford
	Bedford
	Lancaster Castle
	Dorchester
	Haverigg
	 2003-04
	Wormwood Scrubs
	East Sutton Park
	Parkhurst
	Styal
	Exeter
	 2002-03
	Holloway
	Stafford
	Shrewsbury
	Wayland
	Lincoln

Prisons: Standards

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice what steps she is taking to advertise the results of professional standards investigations to HM Prison Service staff; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: At present we do not advertise the results of professional standards investigations. However, this will be considered as part of an ongoing improvement plan to strengthen the Prison Service's approach to tackling corruption.

Prisons: Standards

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many area professional standards managers do not have operational experience in prison establishments; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Two of the area professional standards managers currently in post have not worked in an operational role in a prison establishment.

Privacy

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice if she will take steps to introduce a requirement to produce privacy impact assessments when regulatory impact assessments are undertaken.

Patrick McFadden: I have been asked to reply
	Following a public consultation, on 2 April 2007 the Government announced the introduction of a new impact assessment (IA) process focused on improving the quality of the economic and other analysis underpinning policy-making.
	While the Government have no current plans to incorporate privacy impact assessments into the IA process, they will consider the appropriate way to assess these impacts as proposals arise. In addition, as policy makers are already asked to take account of the full range of economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of their proposals, it would be expected that where privacy issues have a material impact on assessing the costs and benefits of proposals, these would also be taken into account.
	Details of the new IA can be found at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/ria/index.asp.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Recycling

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what programmes his Department has developed aimed at promoting recycling by young people.

Ben Bradshaw: The Waste and Resources Action Programme runs school visits and events which encourage children to think about how waste is managed. Over 6,800 schools have registered under the Eco-Schools programme, and waste is often taught as part of wider sustainable development issues under the national curriculum.

Recycling

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the Local Government Association's proposal on permitting local authorities to provide incentives for residents who assist in raising recycling performance.

Ben Bradshaw: We have sympathy with local councils' request for more freedom to use incentives to encourage recycling. Where such schemes exist in other countries, recycling has increased and overall waste fallen, leading to a double environmental and cost benefit to householders.

Inland Waterways

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy is on the long-term maintenance of inland waterways.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA sponsors British Waterways, the Environment Agency and the Broads Authority. I look to them to manage and maintain their waterways in a safe, modern, integrated manner that delivers the wider public benefit such as regeneration, in a fully sustainable way within the resources available.

Packaging

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with representatives of supermarkets on reducing packaging.

Ben Bradshaw: My Ministerial colleagues and I have had a number of recent meetings with senior supermarket representatives to discuss a wide range of environmental issues, including packaging.
	All the major retailers and several major brands have agreed to a Government request to reduce the amount of packaging in the first place, designing out packaging growth by 2008 and deliver absolute reductions in packaging by March 2010.

Energy Efficiency

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to ensure that new schools, hospitals and other public buildings meet high standards of energy efficiency.

Ian Pearson: The Government have put in place a combination of challenging targets and minimum standards to ensure that new public buildings are energy efficient and make a long term contribution to lower carbon emissions.

Waste Management

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Local Government Association on support for measures to improve waste management at the local level, with particular reference to recycling.

Ben Bradshaw: My officials and I meet regularly with the Local Government Association. Increased recycling is a goal we share and are working on together. The household waste recycling rate has quadrupled since 1997 and further measures to increase recycling will be announced in our new waste strategy shortly.

Family Farms

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs What recent assessment he has made of the prospects for small family farms.

Barry Gardiner: The future business prospects for farming will reflect the interaction of the key drivers (both long-term and short-term) which have shaped the present position. Projections of total income from farming which reflects the income to all UK farms, were published in Agriculture in the UK in March of this year.

Flood and Sea Defences

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he next expects to meet representatives of local drainage boards to discuss flood and sea defences.

Ian Pearson: I am due to attend the Association of Drainage Authorities annual conference on 31 October.

Air Pollution: Neasden

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many days in the last 12 months air pollution levels recorded on Neasden Lane exceeded  (a) moderate,  (b) high and  (c) very high; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Air quality at Neasden Lane is monitored for two air pollutants: nitrogen dioxide and PM10 particulate matter. Provisional data from the London Air Quality Network indicate that monitored levels of nitrogen dioxide at this location did not exceed "moderate" levels at any time between 1 May 2006 and 1 May 2007. Monitored levels of PM10 particulate matter during this period fell within the "moderate" range of air quality for 90 days, within the "high" range of air quality for 44 days and within the "very high" range of air quality for 80 days.
	Neasden Lane has uniquely high levels of observed PM10 particulates for a London air quality monitoring site due to the influence of a single local source of emissions: the waste transfer site at the nearby Neasden Goods Depot. In the past, DEFRA has assisted Brent council in funding a detailed assessment of air pollution in this area, which attributed the elevated PM10 levels to these waste operations.
	The Environment Agency, which regulates operation at Neasden Goods Depot, has been working in conjunction with the London borough of Brent to address these emissions through:
	(i) regular inspection of the waste transfer facility;
	(ii) monitoring of air quality within the depot's vicinity;
	(iii) designing and implementing mitigation measures in conjunction with the site operators to reduce dust and particulate emissions; and
	(iv) ensuring that the site operators are operating within permitted limits, requiring them to take specific actions when appropriate.
	Improvements made as part of this process include the installation at the depot of dust suppression systems and improvements to drainage and surfacing of the site, to reduce dust and particulate formation.
	Recent developments also include an increase in the frequency of air quality monitoring, which is available on the internet at:
	www.londonair.org.uk.

Avian Influenza

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) provenance and  (b) contents were of the feed given to the turkey poults infected with the H5N1 virus at the Bernard Matthews plant at Holton during the months of January and February 2007.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 25 April 2007
	DEFRA does not hold information on the precise provenance and contents of the feed given to the turkey poults infected with the H5N1 virus at the Bernard Matthews plant at Holton during the months of January and February 2007.
	However, the feed mill that produced the feed is approved under the Universal Feed Assurance Scheme. An investigation of the premises found it to be maintained to a very high standard. The whole storage and manufacturing process is inaccessible to wild birds. The feedstuffs produced at the mill comprise only ingredients from UK sources. The main component of the feedstuff produced is pelleted feed in a computer controlled operation which includes a heating process to at least 80°C. Whole wheat grains are added to the pellets making up to 30 per cent. of the final ration. Before inclusion the wheat goes through a spraying process with a proprietary solution (Anitox Monoprene F Liquid) containing ammonium salts of propionic and butyric acids, propionic acid and formaldehyde.

Avian Influenza

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research he has examined on whether avian influenza H5N1 is transmissible through the carcasses of infected poultry.

Ben Bradshaw: There is a base of evidence to support the suggestion that avian influenza H5N1 is transmissible to other susceptible poultry through the carcasses of infected poultry.
	The Veterinary Laboratories Agency is undertaking further research to investigate the survivability of avian influenza viruses in carcasses.

Biosecurity

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what classification system the Government uses for biosecurity lapses.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 14 May 2007
	I assume the hon. Member is referring to biosecurity lapses in terms of animal health. Such lapses are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Due to the fact that several different pieces of legislation cover biosecurity issues, and the diverse nature of the premises and holdings covered, it would be inappropriate to implement a single, indiscriminate classification system for biosecurity lapses.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2007,  Off icial Report, column 1230W, on bovine tuberculosis, what steps he is taking to increase the speed with which results of tests to determine the presence of bovine TB in cattle are conveyed to the owner.

Ben Bradshaw: Bovine tuberculosis test results are conveyed to the herd owner as quickly as possible.
	Skin test results are already provided to the farmer on the day the test results are collected. Gamma-interferon blood tests require samples to be sent to the Veterinary Laboratory Agency (VLA) for processing. Since the roll-out of this method in October 2006, the average turnaround time from receipt of the sample to issuing a result by email to the submitting Animal Health Divisional Office (AHDO) has been 2.01 working days. It would be impossible for the VLA to complete this any quicker as it is an overnight assay.
	Animal Health try to contact the herd owner the day they receive the results from the VLA. If this is not possible, the herd owner would be contacted the following day. Dependent upon the circumstances, AHDOs call or write to the herd owner to explain the results.
	It is difficult to see how the procedure for disclosing test results to owners could be sped up.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many bovine tuberculin skin tests were carried out by lay testers in each year between 2004 and 2007;
	(2)  how many lay testers were involved in tuberculosis testing in each year between 2004 and 2007.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 15 May 2007
	The information requested is set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Bovine tuberculin skin tests carried out by lay testers  Trainee lay testers  Trainees that performed testing  Certified after training to perform unsupervised testing 
			 2004 0 0 0 0 
			 2005 4,740 34 23 1 
			 2006 22,737 33 24 13 
			 2007(1) 7,422 20 8 7 
			 (1) To date 
		
	
	During training, lay testers only perform tests under the supervision of a qualified vet. After training, lay testers perform the tests but qualified vets interpret the results to determine a diagnosis of the tested animals.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether cattle tested for tuberculosis by a lay tester would have the necessary clearance for live export from the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 15 May 2007
	European Council Directive 64/432/EEC requires cattle more than six weeks old to have reacted negatively to an intradermal tuberculin test carried out during the 30 days prior to export. Although technical staff employed by Animal Health have been recognised as 'approved tuberculosis testers', lay testers are not used for pre-export testing of cattle for tuberculosis (TB). This is in accordance with the Veterinary Surgery (Testing for TB in Bovines) Order 2005, and there are no plans to change this policy.

Carbon Emissions: Housing

Kitty Ussher: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance his Department publishes on the contribution that the behaviour of individuals is capable of making to the reduction of carbon emissions from homes.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA and other public sector organisations are running a number of climate-change communications activities to stimulate action by individuals. These include campaigns to address household energy efficiency, such as the Energy Saving Trust's "Commit to save your 20 per cent.", and DEFRA's guide to greener living.

Departments: Environment Protection

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance he has provided to other Departments and agencies on the establishment of environmentally sustainable strategies for the Government estate in relation to  (a) new buildings,  (b) retrofitting existing buildings,  (c) water use,  (d) land use and  (e) transport arrangements.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA provide guidance on sustainable operations on the Government estate, on the estates pages of the Government's sustainable development website:
	http://www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/government/estates/index.htm
	Additional guidance is provided by other parts of DEFRA and by other Government Departments:
	 (a) New  buildings
	 (b) Retrofitting  existing buildings
	Government guidance on public sector construction and property asset management includes sustainable development considerations. Both OGC's 'High Performing Property' programme and 'Common Minimum Standards for the Built Environment' documents reflect Government's environmental and sustainable development targets and standards. Departments are also mandated to work with the Carbon Trust, using their carbon management programme.
	www.ogc.gov.uk/better_asset_management_efficiency_in_property_asset_ management.asp
	www.ogc.gov.uk/documents/Common_Minimum_Standards_PDF.pdf
	 (c) Water  use
	The following site includes a page covering environmental performance at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/envperform.htm.
	It links to guidance from governmental and non-governmental bodies, such as WaterWise, Envirowise, Market Transformation Programme and the "Quick Wins", giving details of water saving appliances and technologies.
	DEFRA have also issued sustainability guidance to public sector food procurers:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/guidance.htm.
	 (d) Land use
	DEFRA would expect Government Departments and agencies to reflect planning policy in developing their estate.
	 (e) Transport arrangements.
	DEFRA have set up a Civil Service Travel Group to identify Government travel practices, and to assist Departments to travel in a more sustainable way when doing business. It also aims to place sustainability at the heart of all Government travel procurement and contract management.

Domestic Wastes: Waste Disposal

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if he will issue guidance to local authorities on the frequency of refuse collections; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent guidance he has provided to local councils on the frequency of waste collection services; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answers 8 and  14 May 2007
	Decisions on the best way to collect waste are rightly a matter for local authorities, not central Government. However, my Department has funded research and guidance through the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to assist local authorities in carrying out their operations in their chosen manner efficiently and effectively.

Environment Protection: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated administrative cost is of  (a) the Rural Development Plan for England,  (b) the entry level scheme,  (c) the higher level scheme and  (d) the England Woodland Grant Scheme (i) for 2006-07 and (ii) for each successive year of the plan period.

Barry Gardiner: Separating out the administrative costs for the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and its constituent schemes would incur disproportionate cost. They are included within the wider running cost budgets for DEFRA, Natural England, the Forestry Commission, the eight Regional Development Agencies and the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). In some cases, people, systems and resources used for administering the 2007-13 RDPE are also engaged in other areas of work. For example, on other Common Agricultural Policy schemes in the case of RPA.

Floods: Disclosure of Information

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance he has given to the Environment Agency on the terms under which its flood risk data may be supplied to third party resellers.

Ian Pearson: DEFRA has not provided the Environment Agency (EA) with any specific guidance on the supply of flood risk data to third party resellers.
	The EA is an accredited organisation under the Information Fair Trader Scheme and applies a transparent and consistent charging policy to all of their customers. The recently agreed Public Sector Information Directive has created a new charging policy which enables EA to adhere to the correct charging terms.
	Flood risk data are priced according to this charging policy which includes royalties derived from third party resellers.

Floods: Housing

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he last discussed with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government the allowing of house building on land prone to flooding.

Ian Pearson: My Department meets regularly with the Department for Communities and Local Government, at both ministerial and official level, to discuss a broad range of issues related to delivering sustainable communities and new housing growth. Most recently, the Government have published revised planning policy guidance on development and flood risk, Planning Policy Statement 25, which sets out clear guidelines for planning authorities to avoid inappropriate development in flood risk areas.

Fly Tipping: Sheffield

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many incidents of fly-tipping were reported in Sheffield in each of the last four years; and what the estimated cost was of dealing with such incidents;
	(2)  how many  (a) prosecutions and  (b) successful prosecutions there were in Sheffield for fly-tipping in each year since 2004; and how much has been recovered through related fines.

Ben Bradshaw: Flycapture, the national fly-tipping database, was set up in 2004 by Defra, the Environment Agency and the Local Government Association to record the number of fly-tipping incidents dealt with by the Environment Agency and local authorities. Data are, therefore, only available from April 2004 onwards and are as follows:
	
		
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			 Total number of incidents in Sheffield 170,570 161,907 
			 Estimated clearance costs (£) 5,529,643 4,909,438 
			 Number of prosecutions taken to court 1 0 
			 Number of successful prosecutions 1 0 
		
	
	Data for 2006-07 are not yet available, but will be published in the summer.

Fly Tipping: West Sussex

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many incidents of fly-tipping were reported in West Sussex in  (a) 1997 and  (b) each of the last four years for which figures are available; and what the estimated cost was of dealing with such incidents;
	(2)  how many  (a) prosecutions and  (b) successful prosecutions there were in West Sussex for fly-tipping in (i) 1997 and (ii) each of the last four years for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: Flycapture, the national fly-tipping database, was set up in 2004 by Defra, the Environment Agency and the Local Government Association to record the number of fly-tipping incidents dealt with by the Environment Agency and local authorities. Data are, therefore, only available from April 2004 onwards and are as follows:
	
		
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			 Total number of incidents in West Sussex 5,228 6,471 
			 Estimated clearance costs (£) 263,414.02 305,963.88 
			 Number of prosecutions taken to court 1 0 
			 Number of successful prosecutions 1 0 
		
	
	Data for 2006-07 are not yet available but will be published in the summer.

Food: Packaging

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to encourage food suppliers to use less packaging; and what discussions he has had over the last six months.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, East (Mrs. James) on 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1525W.

Food: Packaging

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate the Government have made of the amount of food packaging used in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend (Mr. Brown) on 10 May 2007,  Official Report, column 382W.

Hares

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received, and from whom, on the introduction of a closed season for the shooting of hares; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 15 May 2007
	My Department has received representations in support of this matter from several hon. Members on behalf of constituents, (including Mr. Rodney Hale, chairman of the British Brown Hare Preservation Society), a petition signed by 505 members of the public, and letters from four further individuals.
	Brown hares are not protected by a close season in the UK. In part, this is because it is recognised that hares can cause serious agricultural damage, and farmers need the flexibility to address problems when they occur. But mainly it is because there is currently no evidence that the introduction of a close season would significantly enhance hare numbers. Hare numbers have declined throughout Europe despite protection with close seasons.
	The Hare Preservation Act 1892 forbids the sale of hares during the notional main breeding season of 1 March to 31 July inclusive. This discourages farmers from shooting hares for commercial gain at this time, and aims to limit control during the breeding season to that necessary for crop protection.
	The current view of the Brown Hare Species Action Plan Steering Group is that habitat changes due to modern farming practices, rather than hunting or shooting, are the main cause of population decline in the brown hare. The steering group, which advises DEFRA on this species, has therefore not recommended the establishment of a close season. If there is any change to this advice then a case for new legislation to protect the brown hare would be considered.

National Fruit Collection

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to announce a decision on the tendering of the contract to manage the National Fruit Collection; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer  16 May 2007
	Our intention is to announce the decision in late summer or early autumn. A written statement will be made once the outcome of the tendering exercise is known.

Nature Conservation: EC Action

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many habitat compensation schemes under Article 6(4) of the EU Habitats Directive there have been in the UK:
	(2)  what the name was of each project in respect of which a consent was granted requiring compensatory measures under Regulation 53 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.,) Regulations 1994 since those Regulations were introduced; in what year each consent was granted; what type of consent each was; and which European site was affected in each case.

Barry Gardiner: A small number of consents requiring the provision of compensatory measures have been granted since the Regulations were introduced. However, the information requested is not collected centrally. Therefore I have asked my officials to gather the information and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available. Copies of the letter will be made available to all hon. Members in the Library of the House.

Non-Food Environmental Grazing Animals

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what welfare and veterinary provision is made for non-food environmental grazing animals; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Non-food grazing animals are protected by the Animal Welfare Act, which came into force on 6 April 2007. The Act extends the law, formerly only applicable to farmed animals, so that all owners and keepers will have to provide for the needs of their animals. Anyone failing to provide for the needs of their animals may be guilty of the welfare offence. This additional offence will mean that action may be taken before an animal starts to suffer.

Organic Food: Milk

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much organic milk was imported into the UK in each year between 2002 and 2006.

Barry Gardiner: The official overseas trade statistics do not separately identify organic milk.
	The Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative (OMSCO) estimate 7 million litres of organic milk were imported into the UK in 2006-07 (published in the March 2007 Organic Milk Market Report). Earlier years are not available.
	It should be noted that OMSCOs estimate of organic milk imports may not be fully comparable, in terms of data capture and estimation methods, with the official overseas trade statistics on total liquid milk.

Pests

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what criteria were used to draw up the Environment Agency's list of the top 10 worst invasive pests;
	(2)  what assessment was made of the grey squirrel against the criteria used to draw up the Environment Agency's list of the top 10 worst invasive pests.

Barry Gardiner: The main criterion in drawing up the Environment Agency's (EA) list of the top 10 worst invasive pests was the impact that a particular non-native invasive species has on the EA's activities and responsibilities. In November 2005, a questionnaire survey asked all 26 of the EA's area teams to identify species that were having an impact and to rank the top 10 using a simple scoring system (one to 10). The overall top 10 list was derived from the aggregate scores across the EA as a whole.
	The grey squirrel does not impact on EA activities and responsibilities. Therefore, it did not feature in the list.

Poultry: Animal Welfare

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what legislation governs the welfare of battery hens; whether any proposed changes to this legislation are being considered; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 14 May 2007
	Council Directive 99/74/EC lays down minimum standards for the welfare of laying hens. The directive bans the practice of keeping laying hens in conventional cages throughout the EU from 1 January 2012. This has been implemented in England through the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002 No. 1646).
	The directive specifically requires the EU Commission to prepare a report on the various systems that exist for keeping laying hens, including their health and environmental impact. The report will also take into account the socio-economic implications of the various systems and their effects on the Community's economic partners.
	We will consider the report and the evidence it contains once it is published. In the meantime, our policy remains that there should be no conventional cages from 2012. Reviewing the future of conventional cages on an EU basis will ensure that any legislative changes apply to all EU producers, thus avoiding the risk of simply displacing egg production to other countries.

Rural Development Programme: Animal Welfare

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what account was taken by his Department of the guiding principles of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain and England Implementation Group indicators in drawing up the draft Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the likely contribution of measures contained in the draft Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13 to meeting the targets for 2014 set out in the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain; and if he will make a statement;

Barry Gardiner: The Rural Development Programme for England 2007-13 will support a range of existing Government priorities. In deciding how to use the programme, we have taken account of other mechanisms and sources of funding available to address our priorities, and of the responses to the consultation on the programme's priorities that ran last year.
	The main focus of the programme will be environmental outcomes, in particular maintaining our commitment to Environmental Stewardship. The programme will also be used to help make agriculture and forestry more competitive and sustainable, and to enhance opportunities in rural areas.
	The programme will include a wide range of indicators which will be used to evaluate its success in contributing to strategies such as the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy for Great Britain.

Sewers: Private Sector

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to consult on the means and timing of the transfer of ownership of private sewers to water and sewerage companies.

Ian Pearson: Following the Government's decision to transfer ownership of private sewers to water and sewerage companies, a further public consultation on the implementation options for transfer will take place over the summer. The consultation will also pose questions on the scope of assets to be included in the transfer and ways in which new private sewers can be prevented.

Sustainable Development: Housing

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the potential environmental impact of the code for sustainable housing.

Ian Pearson: Ministers and officials in DEFRA and Communities and Local Government worked closely together to produce the code for sustainable homes, taking into account environmental impacts and Government have set an ambitious target for zero carbon new housing by 2016.

Warm Front Scheme

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households in each local authority were assisted by the Warm Front scheme in each year since the scheme was introduced.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 8 May 2007
	The information requested is not collected centrally. Therefore, a full response could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I will write to the hon. Member with further information shortly and I will arrange for copies of the letter to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Waste and Resources Action Programme spent on working with retailers and their supply chains to reduce waste in 2006-07; and what plans it has to carry out this work in the future.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 14 May 2007
	In 2006-07, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) spent 3.6 million on this specific area of work.
	WRAP is working with retailers and their supply chains towards its 2006-08 Business Plan target to secure reductions in packaging waste of 80,000 tonnes a year.

Water: Shortages

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fines have been issued for contravening hosepipe bans in the last 12 months, broken down by water company.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 14 May 2007
	Neither DEFRA nor Ofwat hold data on any action taken in the courts against alleged breaches of hosepipe bans, by water companies or any other party.

Wheat: Imports

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much wheat was imported into the UK in each year between 2002 and 2006.

Barry Gardiner: The following table shows the volume of wheat imported into the UK for each year between 2002 and 2006 as published in Agriculture in the United Kingdom.
	
		
			  Thousand tonnes 
			   UK Imports of wheat 
			 2002 1368 
			 2003 985 
			 2004 784 
			 2005 1175 
			 2006 1162 
			  Note: 2006 data are provisional

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Support Agency

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of the Operational Improvement Plan on the performance of the Child Support Agency.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 23 April 2007
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 17 May 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Operational Improvement Plan on the performance of the Child Support Agency.
	The initial phase of the Operational Improvement Plan has focused on the organisational and operational restructuring of the Agency, and the training of our people to increase our capacity and capability. No commitments were made for the first year but the performance of the Agency has been steadily improving with early results showing improvements in several key areas and more money is already getting to more children. At the end of December 2006 compared with a year ago:
	58,000 more children were in receipt of maintenance or had a maintenance-direct arrangement in place.
	Applications are being cleared more quickly: 55 per cent. within twelve weeks, up from 49 per cent. and meeting target level for March 2007, and 74 per cent. within six months, up from 64 per cent.
	Client Service has improved: The Agency answered 97 per cent. of queued calls over 12 months, up from 90 per cent.
	I am confident the performance figures for the last quarter, due to be published later this week, will continue to demonstrate the ongoing developments in the Agency's performance.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Child Support Agency

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his plans to transfer the payment of child support for those on the pre-2003 system to the new system.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Easington (John Cummings), published in Hansard on 16 April 2007,  Official Report, column 233W.

Child Support Agency

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will examine the case of Mark Albutt, reference 1039432336, and the demands being made by the Child Support Agency for payment of arrears.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the right hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Jos Jones:
	In reply to you recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. As he is out of the country, I am responding with his authority.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he would examine the case of Mark Albutt reference 1039432336 and the demands being made by the Child Support Agency for payment of arrears.
	As the details about individual cases are confidential, I have written to you separately about this case.

Child Support Agency

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of decisions on applications made to the Child Support Agency were revised because they contained errors in each quarter since spring 2003.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 8 May 2007
	The information requested is not available.

Child Support Agency: Debt Collection

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the procedure is for collection of debt by the Child Support Agency for old rules cases where changes in circumstances have subsequently occurred; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Jos Joures, dated 17 May 2007:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. As he is out of the country I am responding, with his authority, on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the procedure is for collection of debt by the Child Support Agency for old rules cases where changes in circumstances have subsequently occurred; and if he will make a statement.
	The procedure for the collection of debt is the same for old scheme and new scheme cases. If a change of circumstances, which results in an alteration to the debt balance of a case, is processed the Agency will recalculate the debt balance and contact the non-resident parent to negotiate a new payment arrangement. Under the Operational Improvement Plan, the Agency aim where possible to recoup any outstanding arrears within two yeas, once a payment schedule has been established. However, the Collections and Enforcement Regulations, 1992 prevent the Agency from taking more than 40% of a non-resident parent's net income in child maintenance payments, and all arrears agreements reflect this requirement.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.

Children: Poverty

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the data for levels of child poverty to be available for  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: Data for 2005-06 are available in the Households Below Average Income 2005-06 publication. This is currently being revised and the new release will be available from mid-May.
	The Secretary of State made a written statement to Parliament on 23 April 2007,  Official Report, column 20WS, on why the statistics are being revised.
	Households Below Average Income 2006-07 will be published in spring 2008.

Financial Assistance Scheme: Pay

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was paid in bonuses to staff of the Financial Assistance Scheme in each of the last two years; and how many individual payments were made.

James Purnell: The Department operates a number of different bonus and awards schemes, two of which apply to staff at the Financial Assistance Scheme.
	Based on the information available, the total sum of bonuses paid to staff of the Financial Assistance Scheme in each of the last two years is as provided in the following tables. The bonuses are all subject to tax at standard individual rates. (Figures quoted as gross values).
	The Bonus and Rewards Scheme allows managers to incentivise and reward valuable or exceptional contributions to business performance made by employees or teams:
	
		
			  Bonus type/Date  Total amount paid out (gross) ()  Number of staff receiving payments 
			 Bonus and Rewards Scheme2006 3,450 24 
			 Bonus and Rewards Scheme2007 3,650 25 
		
	
	Annual individual performance bonuses are paid to members of staff as part of the annual pay award. Individuals who achieve one of the top 3 (of 4) performance ratings under the department's Performance and Development System are eligible for these unconsolidated bonuses, which are paid on a sliding scale:
	
		
			  Bonus type/Date  Total amount paid out (gross) ()  Number of staff receiving payments 
			 Annual Individual Performance Bonuses2006 19,772 66 
		
	
	The Individual Performance Bonus for staff during the last financial year has not yet been finalised so we are currently unable to confirm any amounts for this period.

Pensions: Females

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what delays are being experienced with pension forecasts for women who become 60 in May and June this year.

James Purnell: We are currently not experiencing delays in issuing State Pension forecasts to our customers. Forecasts are issued within 12 working days of request, except in a relatively small number of cases that require further investigation of the customer's National Insurance Contributions records by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to ensure an accurate forecast.

Tax Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) households and  (b) persons in the UK who are in receipt of both tax credits and one or more income-related benefit.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Households and persons in the UK who are in receipt of both tax credits and one or more income-related benefit 
			   Number 
			 Households 940,000 
			 Persons 790,000 
			  Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10,000. 2. The Family Resources Survey (FRS) is a nationally representative sample of approximately 28,000 households. 3. Data for 2005-06 was collected between April 2005 and March 2006. 4. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors which align the FRS to Government Office Region populations by age and sex. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining non-response error. 5. Tax credit and income related benefits receipt is under-reported on the FRS. This will mean that the FRS estimates are likely to be under-estimates. However, there is no other reliable source for this information at a household level.  Source:  Family Resources Survey 2005-06 United Kingdom

Winter Fuel Payments: West Bromwich

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in West Bromwich East constituency received winter fuel payments, in each of the last three years.

James Purnell: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  West Bromwich East constituency 
			   Household payments made 
			 2004-05 13,085 
			 2005-06 13,050 
			 2006-07 12,980 
			  Notes: 1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory. 3. Any residence found to have four or more occupants aged 60 and over is not included in the household figures as it is assumed to be a care home. 4. Figures for 2006-07 refer only to the main payment run so they do not include the late payment run figures. We estimate that there are approximately 100,000 people in Great Britain paid in late payment runs (0.8 per cent. of all payments). Since most of the payment runs are to people who are not receiving another benefit from DWP and whose claims had not been received by the qualifying week, most are men aged 60 to 64.  Source: Information directorate 100 per cent. data

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcoholic Drinks: Crime

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders were found guilty of  (a) drunken and disorderly behaviour and  (b) drunken and aggravated behaviour in (i) England, (ii) Bury St. Edmunds constituency, (iii) Suffolk, (iv) Bedfordshire, (v) Cambridgeshire, (vi) Essex, (vii) Hertfordshire and (viii) Norfolk in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Data from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of defendants found guilty at all courts for simple and aggravated drunkenness offences in (i) England, (iii) Suffolk, (iv) Bedfordshire, (v) Cambridgeshire, (vi) Essex, (vii) Hertfordshire, (viii) Norfolk police force area, 1997-2005 can be viewed in the following table.
	In addition, under the penalty notice for disorder (PND) scheme, the police can issue a fixed penalty of 80 to a person for being drunk and disorderly. The number of PNDs issued for the offence are also included in the table.
	From the court proceedings database it is not possible to identify those offenders in the Bury St. Edmunds constituency, as the data are not collected at this level of detail.
	
		
			  Number of defendants found guilty at all courts for drunkenness simple and drunkenness aggravated offences in (i) England, (iii) Suffolk, (iv) Bedfordshire, (v) Cambridgeshire, (vi) Essex, (vii) Hertfordshire, (viii) Norfolk police force area,1997-2005( 1,)( )( 2) , and penalty notices for disorder issued in England and Wales, 2004 to 2006( 3) 
			  Force/area  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Drunkenness, simple   
			 Bedfordshire 62 153 99 55 29 24 53 26 41 (4) 
			 Cambridgeshire 40 35 40 48 53 51 69 48 52 (4) 
			 Essex 200 185 140 125 99 44 11 15 6 (4) 
			 Hertfordshire 20 47 59 38 29 18 19 18 14 (4) 
			 Norfolk 65 71 70 61 68 66 77 48 46 (4) 
			 Suffolk 109 92 99 72 54 61 64 87 32 (4) 
			 England 3,333 3,710 3,134 2,579 2,424 2,201 1,999 1,674 1,436 (4) 
			
			  Drunkenness, with aggravation   
			 Bedfordshire 145 186 199 163 161 170 188 101 73 (4) 
			 Cambridgeshire 100 126 137 134 136 137 176 156 153 (4) 
			 Essex 422 389 453 472 438 346 180 188 164 (4) 
			 Hertfordshire 251 296 348 340 358 445 401 318 223 (4) 
			 Norfolk 102 111 113 137 140 140 172 82 54 (4) 
			 Suffolk 254 194 197 202 244 301 317 293 198 (4) 
			 England 22,474 23,864 22,764 22,078 21,468 22,741 23,893 17,550 13,199 (4) 
			
			  Penalty notices for disorder   
			  Bedfordshire   
			 Drunk and disorderly behaviour * * * * * * * 144 265 293 
			 Drunk in a highway * * * * * * * 13 43 14 
			
			  Cambridgeshire   
			 Drunk and disorderly behaviour * * * * * * * 189 357 260 
			 Drunk in a highway * * * * * * * 34 90 67 
			
			  Essex   
			 Drunk and disorderly behaviour * * * * * * * 714 634 859 
			 Drunk in a highway * * * * * * * 24 38 33 
			
			  Hertfordshire   
			 Drunk and disorderly behaviour * * * * * * * 208 319 207 
			 Drunk in a highway * * * * * * * 9 30 15 
			
			  Norfolk   
			 Drunk and disorderly behaviour * * * * * * * 79 93 88 
			 Drunk in a highway * * * * * * * 34 56 24 
			
			  Suffolk   
			 Drunk and disorderly behaviour * * * * * * * 267 377 345 
			 Drunk in a highway * * * * * * * 35 27 26 
			
			  England   
			 Drunk and disorderly behaviour * * * * * * * 25,591 34,896 39,774 
			 Drunk in a highway * * * * * * * 2,387 2,930 2,387 
			 * = figures not applicable, as penalty notices were not introduced until 2004. (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, police forces, and other agencies. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) 2006 PND (Penalty Notices for Disorder) data are provisional. (4) Court proceedings data for 2006 will be available in the autumn of 2007.  Source: RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

Antisocial Behaviour: Bus Services

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been  (a) prosecuted and  (b) convicted of offences relating to throwing stones or other missiles at buses in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	Statistics collected centrally do not separately identify an offence of throwing stones or other missiles at buses from other criminal offences.

Children: Abuse

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to require web hosting companies to review their commitments to ensure abusive images of children are removed from the internet; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: The Government remain committed to ensuring that websites with child abuse content cannot be accessed from within the UK through any Internet Service Provider (ISP).
	We continue to work very closely with the ISP industry as they put in place blocking mechanisms to restrict access to those websites identified by the Internet Watch Foundation, as well as to exploring other options to prevent access to illegal images of child abuse.
	The Government have set a target for every ISP to support the blocking mechanism by the end of 2007.

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Criminal Records Bureau checks as a child protection measure.

Joan Ryan: holding answer 16 May 2007
	Analysis from a recent independent poll indicates that the CRB is making a real difference to the protection of children and vulnerable adults; in the last three years, 60,000 unsuitable people have had offers of employment which involved working with children and vulnerable adults withdrawn on the basis of information contained on their Disclosure. This analysis also demonstrates that users of the Criminal Records Bureau's (CRB) service feel that the information provided on Disclosures useful when making recruitment decisions.
	The research, conducted by IPSOS MORI, shows that customer satisfaction levels are at an all-time high, reflecting the year-on-year improvements made by the CRB.
	The National Audit Office (NAO) produced a report in 2004 (Criminal Records Bureau, Delivering Safer Recruitment?) in which it noted that CRB did not measure the impact that it had on society, whether it reduced crimes against the vulnerable or reduced the fear of crime. Following a CRB Internal Audit report in 2006, a proposal was put forward to adopt a system of outcome measures, which the CRB are currently exploring, that will be used to determine further the effectiveness of the CRB's service in terms of child and vulnerable adult protection.

Fingerprints: EC Countries

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of proposals for a centralised EU database of fingerprints; what estimate has been made of the  (a) set up costs and  (b) annual running costs of the database; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ryan: The Government believe that cross-border information exchange is fundamental to the fight against organised crime and terrorism and have therefore supported various EU initiatives to improve the exchange of information between member states. This includes a proposal currently under negotiation to facilitate the electronic exchange of data on fingerprints, DNA and vehicle registration between member states, known as the Prm Council Decision.
	The Government have doubts however about the need for a centralised EU fingerprint database as suggested by the European Commission in its Annual Policy Strategy Communication for 2008. In particular, the Government will be looking to the Commission for a clear assessment of what added value this would bring to the Prm Council Decision.
	The European Commission has yet to present the detail of its proposal, without which the Government cannot undertake a cost assessment. However, the Government have estimated that the start up costs for implementation of the Prm Council Decision would be around 31 million. This includes running costs for the first year, which would be around 2.5 million. The Government believe that this is justified by the practical benefits to be gained from the enhanced information sharing arrangements.

Leyhill Prison

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are held at HMP Leyhill; and how many are  (a) Category D prisoners and  (b) Category C prisoners.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	There were 399 prisoners detained at HMP Leyhill on 31 March 2007. All were Category D prisoners.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to answer the letter to him dated 2 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms J Mann.

Liam Byrne: I replied to my right hon. Friend's letter sent on behalf of his constituent Ms J Mann on 15 May 2007.

Offensive Weapons

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were convicted of knife crime offences in  (a) the Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Data from the Court Proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of persons found guilty for offences related to the illegal sale and marketing of knives, and to the possession of knives in a public place without good reason in the areas of  (a) South Tyneside,  (b) the North East government office region and England and Wales for the years requested are provided in the table.
	Data for the Jarrow constituency are not available as data broken down to constituency level are not collected centrally.
	Information for 2006 will be available in the autumn.
	
		
			  Number of persons found guilty at all courts for offences related to the illegal sale, marketing and possession of knives in selected areas and England and Wales, 1997-2005( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3) 
			  Area/region  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 South Tyneside magistrates court 6 11 14 6 21 23 12 22 36 
			 North East local government office region 134 162 180 185 230 316 317 360 376 
			 England and Wales(4) 3,363 3,808 3,543 3,531 4,326 5,306 5,346 5,827 6,025 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes data for offences related to the illegal possession, sale and marketing of knives. (4) Data excludes figures for West Mercia police force area for the offence of possession of a knife or bladed article on school premises, due to a reporting error for this offence at the courts in that area.

Offensive Weapons

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been convicted of carrying a knife in a public place in  (a) Suffolk,  (b) Bedfordshire,  (c) Cambridgeshire,  (d) Essex,  (e) Hertfordshire and  (f) Norfolk in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Data on the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of people found guilty at all courts for the offence of carrying a knife in a public place in  (a) Suffolk,  (b) Bedfordshire,  (c ) Cambridgeshire,  (d) Essex,  (e) Hertfordshire, and  (f) Norfolk police force area 1997-2005 can be viewed in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of defendants found guilty at all courts for the offences of carrying a knife in a public place, and having an article with blade or point on school premises in Suffolk, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, and Norfolk police force area 1997-2005( 1,)( )( 2,)( )( 3,)( )( 4) 
			  Force  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Bedfordshire 24 36 23 40 32 40 57 68 78 
			 Cambridgeshire 24 35 31 15 27 46 34 62 57 
			 Essex 85 97 96 100 99 103 146 201 176 
			 Hertfordshire 31 29 28 27 25 53 83 84 92 
			 Norfolk 29 50 46 36 41 59 69 70 69 
			 Suffolk 31 22 26 30 31 61 52 68 69 
			 Total 224 269 250 248 255 362 441 553 541 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Includes the following: (3) Statute: Criminal Justice Act 1988 s.139 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 s.3. Offence description: Having an article with blade or point in public place. (4) Statute: Criminal Justice Act 1988 s.139A (1)(5)(a) as added by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 s.4(1). Offence description: Having an article with blade or point on school premises.

Police: Manpower

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of police officers left the police force in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: The available data are from 1997-98 onwards and are given in the following table. These data are taken from the Home Office Statistical Bulletin series Police Service Strength, England and Wales published annually containing data correct as at 31 March; the bulletins can be downloaded from the following link:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hosbarchive.html
	
		
			  Police officer leavers from England and Wales forces from 1997-98 to 2005-06 
			   Officer leavers  Officer strength  Percentage leavers 
			 1997-98(1) 6,657 124,798 5.3 
			 1998-99(1) 6,104 123,841 4.9 
			 1999-2000(1) 5,948 121,956 4.9 
			 2000-01 (1) 5,849 123,313 4.7 
			 2001-02(1) 6,420 127,267 5.0 
			 2002-03(2) 7,783 132,509 5.9 
			 2003-04(2) 7,139 138,468 5.2 
			 2004-05(2) 7,367 141,059 5.2 
			 2005-06(2, 3) 8,773 141,523 6.2 
			 (1) Wastage comprises retirements, resignations, dismissals, deaths and transfers to police forces outside England and Wales. (2) Not comparable to previous wastage figures as data do not include transfers to other England and Wales forces and officers leaving after a period of secondment. (3) Over 1,000 police officers previously working with the National Crime Squad (NCS) and the National Criminal Intelligence Squad (NCIS) left their home force to join the Serious Organised Crime Agency when it vested on 1 April 2006.

Police: Pay

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to change the way that police pay is determined; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: In November 2006, I announced the Home Secretary's intention to review police pay arrangements and that he had asked Sir Clive Booth to undertake this review. The first part of Sir Clive Booth's review has now reported entitled Fair Pay for Police Officers. The report makes a number of recommendations which we are considering and consulting with police stakeholders. Sir Clive Booth will report back with part two of his review in the autumn of this year.

Police: Petrol

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his most recent estimate is of the total cost of petrol consumption by police forces in England and Wales.

Tony McNulty: The information for all police forces in England and Wales is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Police: Training

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much each police authority in England and Wales spent on training  (a) police officers,  (b) police community support officers and  (c) special constables in each of the last 10 years.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 15 May 2007
	Data on the annual cost of training for police officers, police community support officer and special constables are not centrally held.
	Funding for police training is largely a matter for individual chief constables and police authorities and is reviewed on an annual basis.

Prisoners Release: Overcrowding

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government has to introduce new measures to release offenders from prison early to ease prison overcrowding.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to answer.
	The Ministry of Justice is not currently planning to release offenders early. We are dealing with pressures on the prison estate by building more capacity. We will always ensure that there will be prison places for those serious, sexual and seriously persistent offenders who ought to be in prison.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the capital value is of each prison establishment; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	The capital values are provided in the table. The values are provided on the basis of depreciated replacement cost as at 31 March 2007 and are subject to audit. Staff quarters and leasehold premises are not included.
	
		
			  Description  Net value () 
			 Acklington 46,332,111 
			 Albany 31,518,949 
			 Altcourse 75,918,408 
			 Ashfield 28,568,404 
			 Ashwell 21,747,314 
			 Askham Grange 9,863,329 
			 Aylesbury 59,268,669 
			 Bedford 25,582,875 
			 Belmarsh 171,495,075 
			 Birmingham 79,355,715 
			 Blakenhurst 93,979,898 
			 Blantyre House 7,568,071 
			 Blundestone 15,848,251 
			 Brinsford 42,707,021 
			 Bristol 22,578,274 
			 Brixton 26,473,660 
			 Brockhill 12,124,512 
			 Bronzefield 88,291,525 
			 Buckley Hall 50,123,967 
			 Bullingdon 78,768,726 
			 Bullwood Hall 11,750,983 
			 Camp Hill 24,451,469 
			 Canterbury 13,674,375 
			 Cardiff 45,709,863 
			 Castington 30,828,819 
			 Channings Wood 31,536,459 
			 Chelmsford 44,798,512 
			 Coldingly 30,060,574 
			 Cookham Wood 23,536,120 
			 Dartmoor 192,811 
			 Deerbolt 36,602,665 
			 Doncaster 102,290,525 
			 Dorchester 7,770,339 
			 Dovegate 68,711,433 
			 Dover 23,821,710 
			 Downview 58,756,736 
			 Drake Hall 17,079,128 
			 Durham 48,513,133 
			 East Button Park 7,737,527 
			 Eastwood Park 12,845,021 
			 Edmunds Hill 5,067,790 
			 Elmley 87,019,481 
			 Erlestoke 15,928,582 
			 Everthorpe 49,845,326 
			 Exeter 20,763,043 
			 Featherstone 26,981,373 
			 Feltham 103,084,680 
			 Ford 37,224,748 
			 Forest Bank 54,055,436 
			 Foston Hall 18,428,839 
			 Frankland 90,689,443 
			 Full Sutton 75,354,930 
			 Garth 57,844,453 
			 Gartree 39,591,309 
			 Glen Parva 57,661,725 
			 Gloucester 11,932,343 
			 Grendon 34,712,880 
			 Guys Marsh 26,425,078 
			 Haslar 10,579,634 
			 Haverigg 27,756,389 
			 Hewel Grange 10,850,142 
			 Highdown 93,842,150 
			 Highpoint 59,501,461 
			 Hindley 42,818,306 
			 Hollesley Bay 32,188,102 
			 Holloway 65,476,031 
			 Holme House 85,251,241 
			 Hull 58,628,517 
			 Huntercombe 27,757,823 
			 Kingston 19,791,104 
			 Kirkham 33,066,058 
			 Kirklevington 14,524,971 
			 Lancaster Cstl 193,572 
			 Lancaster Farms 84,722,100 
			 Latchmere House 16,906,432 
			 Leeds 51,747,123 
			 Leicester 10,274,997 
			 Lewes 26,759,503 
			 Leyhill 32,828,384 
			 Lincoln 33,431,537 
			 Lindholme 99,602,044 
			 Littlehey 50,092,386 
			 Liverpool 58,498,419 
			 Long Lartin 51,515,938 
			 Low Newton 19,928,429 
			 Lowdham Grange 40,609,263 
			 Maidstone 38,982,200 
			 Manchester 70,191,561 
			 Moorland 112,568,853 
			 Morton Hall 22,615,999 
			 Mount (The) 67,824,889 
			 New Hall 37,660,792 
			 North Sea Camp 7,544,216 
			 Northallerton 9,845,494 
			 Norwich 40,834,331 
			 Nottingham 53,376,517 
			 Onley 37,399,104 
			 Parc 82,278,453 
			 Parkhurst 38,929,339 
			 Pentonville 57,340,542 
			 Peterborough 74,795,842 
			 Portland 46,838,429 
			 Preston 43,636,167 
			 Ranby 65,754,997 
			 Reading 13,111,484 
			 Risley 77,436,138 
			 Rochester 24,730,391 
			 Rye Hill 53,041,853 
			 Send 20,288,844 
			 Shepton Mallet 15,742,039 
			 Shrewsbury 9,808,533 
			 Stafford 21,232,913 
			 Standford Hill 37,322,882 
			 Stocken 48,173,843 
			 Stoke Heath 31,127,056 
			 Styal 24,900,639 
			 Sudbury 24,617,551 
			 Swaleside 69,580,254 
			 Swansea 12,987,697 
			 Swinfen Hall 51,004,678 
			 The Wolds 45,436,490 
			 Thorn Cross 31,138,336 
			 Usk 16,774,367 
			 Verne (The) 21,116,226 
			 Wakefield 61,613,064 
			 Wandsworth 61,496,943 
			 Warren Hill 1,728,450 
			 Wayland 52,590,634 
			 Wealstun 79,705,460 
			 Weare (The) 792,489 
			 Wellingborough 43,693,879 
			 Werrington 11,514,007 
			 Wetherby 30,787,884 
			 Whatton 39,741,054 
			 Whitemoor 86,736,990 
			 Winchester 33,791,090 
			 Woodhill 137,246,802 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 119,655,521 
			 Wymott 59,674,923 
			 Total 5,979,295,600

Sentencing

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) men and  (b) women were sentenced for public protection in each of the last five years; and how many have been released.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	Public protection sentences were first provided in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and implemented for relevant offences committed on or after four April 2005.
	The numbers(1) of male prisoners received into prisons in England and Wales under indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP) were 670 in 2005-06 and 1,670 in 2006-07. The numbers(1) of female prisoners were 30 in 2005-06 and 40 in 2006-07. There have been three male and two female prisoners released from IPP sentences up to April 2007. The reliability of the data on the numbers received and released under the extended sentence for public protection (EPP) is not sufficiently robust for publication. It is not possible to distinguish sentences made on the basis of public protection before this date.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	(1) Rounded to nearest 10.

Sentencing

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many indefinite sentences of public protection have been handed down in each month since their introduction.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	Figures on the numbers of prisoners received into prisons in England and Wales under indeterminate sentences for public protection (IPP) by each month since their introduction can be found in the following table.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	
		
			  Number of IPP receptions into prison by month since their introduction( 1) 
			  Month  Number 
			 April 2005 0 
			 May 2005 0 
			 June 2005 20 
			 July 2005 30 
			 August 2005 40 
			 September 2005 60 
			 October 2005 90 
			 November 2005 70 
			 December 2005 60 
			 January 2006 80 
			 February 2006 100 
			 March 2006 130 
			 April 2006 100 
			 May 2006 120 
			 June 2006 110 
			 July 2006 140 
			 August 2006 140 
			 September 2006 150 
			 October 2006 120 
			 November 2006 180 
			 December 2006 190 
			 January 2007 140 
			 February 2007 150 
			 March 2007 160 
			 Total 2,450 
			 (1 )Figures rounded to nearest 10.

Terrorism

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether legislation in respect of the prevention of terrorism constitutes criminal justice legislation and falls within his Department.

Tony McNulty: All counter-terrorism legislation will remain the responsibility of the Home Office. However, the Department will continue to work closely on all aspects of counter terrorism legislation with other Government Departments, including the Ministry of Justice.

Theft: Motor Vehicles

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the recent increase in charges to owners for recovery of stolen cars.

Vernon Coaker: There has been no recent increase to the changes prescribed by statute to be paid by the owners of vehicles removed by the police under their powers to remove any vehicle that is illegally, obstructively or dangerously parked, or broken down or abandoned. This includes vehicles abandoned after being stolen. The charges help meet the cost of the removal and subsequent storage.
	We are currently consulting on possible changes to these charges and have not yet reached any conclusions. The consultation document is available on the Home Office website at:
	www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/haveyoursay/current-consultation

Vetting: Young People

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many under-18-year-olds have had Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Joan Ryan: h olding answer 16 May 2007
	Since the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) launched its Disclosure service in March 2002, 412,902 Disclosures have been issued to applicants under the age of 18.

Wiltshire Police Authority: Pensions

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the current pension fund deficit is of Wiltshire police authority.

Tony McNulty: Police authorities now operate a separate pensions account into which are paid officers' contributions and an employer's contribution (currently 24.6 per cent. of pensionable pay) and out of which pension payments are made. Wiltshire police authority has recently provided the Home Office with its unaudited accounts for 2006-07 which show a 3,066,000 deficit in their pensions account. In November 2006, Wiltshire police authority estimated a deficit of 3,296,000 in their pensions account for the 2007-08 financial year. Under the new system of funding for police pensions, any deficit in an authority's pensions account is reimbursed with a grant from central Government each year; any surplus is recouped.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departments: Standards

Oliver Heald: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department has set any performance targets.

John Prescott: I refer the hon. Member to my Office's annual report, which was published today. Copies are available in the Library for the reference of Members.

Post Office

Bob Russell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions in the last 12 months he has chaired meetings to consider issues relating to the future of the Post Office network.

John Prescott: I meet regularly with colleagues to discuss a range of issues.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Cabinet Committees

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if she will list the Cabinet Committees of which she is a member in her capacity as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Hilary Armstrong: My membership of Cabinet Committees reflects the full range of my responsibilities. I refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's written ministerial statements on Cabinet Committees 14 December 2006,  Official Report, columns 37-40WS and 16 May 2007,  Official Report, column 102WS.

Disadvantaged: Health Services

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the proposed trials of new evidence-based assessment tools for use by midwives and health visitors mentioned in her progress report on social exclusion will take place; and if she will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: Evidence-based assessment by midwives and health visitors is part of the Health Led Parenting Pilots which went live in 10 sites across England in April 2007. The Government have commissioned a report by Professor Sir David Hall on risk factors as part of these pilots which is due to be published shortly. Findings from Professor Hall's study have informed the different eligibility criteria and pathways onto the programme being trialled and evaluated as part of the Health Led Parenting Pilot Project.

Domestic Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  when she last visited land controlled by the Duchy;
	(2)  if she will list her public engagements for the week beginning 4 June.

Hilary Armstrong: I have attended a number of public events and regional visits relating to the full range of my Ministerial responsibilities.
	Ministers meet many individuals and organisations and attend many public events relating to Government business, and as part of the process of policy development.

Impact Assessments

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in what ways impact assessments will differ from regulatory impact assessments.

Patrick McFadden: Following a public consultation, on 2 April 2007 the Government announced the introduction of a new Impact Assessment (IA) to replace the previous Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) process.
	Details of the new IA, including changes from the RIA process, can be found at:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/ria/index.asp
	Key changes include:
	A revised template aimed at improving clarity and transparency of IAs. This includes new requirements to more clearly summarise the rationale for government intervention and the evidence supporting the proposals.
	A strengthened ministerial declaration that will bolster the quality of the analysis in IAs and help embed this earlier in the policy making process.
	An increased emphasis on post-implementation reviewthe need for this existing requirement is featured on the front page of the new IA template.
	Improved analysis of the impact on businesses and the third sector, with an indication of the estimated annual cost per organisation of the policy option for micro, small, medium and large organizations, and requiring policy makers to consider whether micro and small businesses should be exempted from the regulation.
	The new process is being phased inIAs in the new format will appear in public consultations from mid-May and, from November 2007, we expect that all IAs will use the new format.

Local Better Regulation Office

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what the budget is for the Local Better Regulation Office in each year between 2007 and 2012;
	(2)  how much her Department expects to spend on the establishment of the Local Better Regulation Office.

Patrick McFadden: The Local Better Regulation Office's (LBRO) key role will be to reduce burdens on business without compromising regulatory outcomes and working in partnership with local authorities, national regulators and departments to drive up the quality of local authority regulatory services. As a result of LBRO's activities the Government expect to see compliant businesses benefiting from a regulatory regime that is less burdensome, more consistent, more coordinated and better targeted.
	The Treasury has allocated the Cabinet Office 2.7 million for 2007-08; and provisionally 5.3 million for 2008-09; 4.4 million for 2009-10 and 4.4 million for 2010-11 to set up and fund the Local Better Regulation Office. The budget for 2011-12 has not yet been established.
	Expenditure establishing the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) is expected to be in the region of 325,000 (ex VAT).

Local Better Regulation Office

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Local Better Regulation Office will continue to operate after 2012.

Patrick McFadden: The Local Better Regulation Office's (LBRO) key role will be to reduce burdens on business without compromising regulatory outcomes and working in partnership with local authorities, national regulators and departments to drive up the quality of local authority regulatory services. As a result of LBRO's activities the Government expect to see compliant businesses benefiting from a regulatory regime that is less burdensome, more consistent, more coordinated and better targeted.
	It is anticipated that at some point in the future the LBRO's work will be complete. The Government proposals regarding the circumstances under which the LBRO might be dissolved is included in a consultation document for the Draft Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill the Government published on 15 May 2007.

Local Better Regulation Office

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to assist the Local Better Regulation Office in improving the performance of local authority regulatory services;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to assist the Local Better Regulation Office in making regulation simpler.

Patrick McFadden: The role of the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) is to reduce burdens on business without compromising regulatory outcomes and working in partnership with local authorities, national regulators and departments to drive up the quality of local authority regulatory services.
	The Cabinet Office has played a key role in the development of the LBRO including the recruitment of the Board and Chief Executive and securing the office space. My Department provide LBRO with access to a breadth of better regulation experience and expertise. They will continue to provide such advice and assistance but, as the LBRO Board formally take up their appointments, LBRO will take on responsibility for the development of their own organisational structure and policies.
	In addition, on 15 May 2007 the Government published a consultation document which set out in detail its proposals regarding the role of the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) including its role in helping to improve the performance of local authority regulatory services and making regulation simpler.

HEALTH

Cancer: Drugs

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent estimate she has made of the number of people suffering from cancer who have been denied drugs on account of their cost; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 May 2007
	The Department has not made an estimate of the type requested.
	The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, an independent body, was set up to make decisions on the clinical and cost effectiveness of technologies based on the latest evidence. It determines whether a drug is sufficiently effective to justify the cost in the context of a finite health budget. A report published by the National Cancer Director last year, Uptake of NICE approved cancer drugs, confirmed that the uptake of new cancer drugs by the national health service increases and variation in use around the country reduces following a positive NICE appraisal.
	The Department has reiterated in recent good practice guidance that the NHS should not withhold funding for treatments just because NICE guidance is not available. In this instance, primary care trusts should make their decisions based on the available evidence.

Cancer: Drugs

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the cost of drugs prescribed to treat cancer was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 May 2007
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1594W.

Cancer: Drugs

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of regional variations in England in the treatment of cancer, with particular reference to the prescribing of drugs; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 May 2007
	In June 2004, Professor Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director published 'Variations in usage of cancer drugs approved by NICE'. This report showed that a positive appraisal of a cancer drug by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) was usually followed by increased overall usage of that drug but that there was variation in usage of NICE approved drugs between cancer networks.
	In July 2006, Professor Richards published a follow-up report, 'Usage of cancer drugs approved by NICE', to confirm if the variations identified had been reduced. This report showed improvements with a continued increase in uptake of cancer drugs following a positive NICE appraisal (a 47 per cent. increase in cancer drug use since the last review) and a reduction in variation between cancer networks in usage of all NICE approved cancer drugs.
	Both these reports are available in the Library.

Clacton Hospital

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether her Department has been informed of plans to shut the Peter Bruff Ward in Clacton hospital.

Andy Burnham: Any decision regarding the closure of the Peter Bruff Ward at Clacton hospital is a matter for the local national health service, which has the responsibility for the configuration and delivery of local services, working in partnership with the communities it serves.

Colorectal Cancer: Drugs

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will take steps to make Cetuximab available to patients on the NHS for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer;
	(2)  if she will direct Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust to make Cetuximab available to Mr. T. Booth of Chorley constituency.

Rosie Winterton: On 24 January 2007, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance to the national health service on the use of Cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.
	NICE'S guidance did not recommend Cetuximab as a treatment option for metastatic colorectal cancer. However, the guidance states that patients who were receiving Cetuximab should have the option to continue to do so until they and their consultants decide that it is the right time to stop treatment.
	It will be for individual primary care trusts to decide whether to fund Cetuximab for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer in the light of NICE'S recommendations. It would be inappropriate for ministers to intervene.

Departmental Artwork

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on artwork by her Department in each year since 1997-98

Ivan Lewis: The Department has not purchased any artwork in the period since 1997-98.

Departmental Restructuring

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost to her Department was of commissioning an external consultant to undertake an equality impact assessment on departmental restructuring; and what conclusions were reached.

Ivan Lewis: The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 placed a duty on all public authorities to address issues of racial inequality. The Department is a public authority under the meaning of this Act and is required by law to undertake race equality impact assessments. One such assessment was carried out by an external contractor to ensure independence and impartiality in 2004-05 at a cost of 10,125 to the Department following its major change programme of 2003-04. This assessed the impact of a significant restructuring programme across the whole Department. The conclusions are summarised in an executive summary, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The Department continues to take action to ensure an ongoing commitment to equality is embedded within the organisation.

Departments: Press

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many press briefings have been held by her Department since May 2005; what the subject of each press briefing was; and whether representatives of  (a) the  Daily Mail,  (b) the  Daily Express and  (c) The Daily Telegraph were invited in each case.

Ivan Lewis: There have been 67 press briefings on a range of subjects since May 2005 and these are listed as follows. In each case, an operational note was sent to news organisations inviting them to the briefing. This includes representatives of  The Daily Telegraph,  Daily Mail and  Daily Express.
	
		
			   Subjects 
			 May 2005 Heart operations 
			  Launch of Care Record Guarantee 
			 June 2005 Briefing by Committee of Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment 
			  Press briefing on the launch of smoking consultation 
			  Latest MRSA rates published 
			  New NHS anti smoking ad campaign launched 
			  New era for NHS ambulance services 
			 July 2005 New statutory hygiene code and Legislative proposals for Action Health on Health Care Associated Infections In England 
			  New statutory hygiene code and inspection regime for NHS 
			  Chief Medical Officer publishes annual report 
			  vCJD and blood donation 
			 August 2005 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 
			 October 2005 New pay agreement for cleaners, caterers, and porters 
			  NHS Redress Bill 
			  Health Work and Wellbeing Strategy 
			  Revised contingency plans for pandemic flu 
			  Pandemic preparedness 
			  Your Health, Your Care, Your Say 
			  Health Bill 
			 November 2005 Faster drugs guidance for the NHS 
			  Proposals for a new roleMedical Care Practitioners (MCPs) 
			 December 2005 Publication of Chief Executives Report to the NHS 
			  Choice in the NHS 
			 January 2006 Community health and care services white paper 
			 February 2006 MRSA statistics 
			  Childhood immunisation programme 
			  Good Corporate Citizenship Self-assessment Model 
			 March 2006 Mental health legislation 
			  Pay Awards for NHS Staff 
			 April 2006 New dental contract 
			  Older people's National Service Framework 
			  Mental Health Nursing 
			  Small Change Big Difference 
			 May 2006 Reconfiguration of Primary Care Trusts and Ambulance Trusts 
			 June 2006 Junior doctor training 
			  National Programme for IT in the NHS 
			  Investment in the new generation of community hospitals 
			  Seasonal flu vaccine 
			 July 2006 Cash boost for community hospitals 
			  Tackling hidden waiting lists 
			  Review of doctors' regulation 
			  Payment by Results 
			  Chief Medical Officer Publishes Fifth Annual Report 
			 August 2006 Reform plans for pathology services 
			 September 2006 New work programme to reduce the number of ineffective treatments in the NHS 
			  Seasonal flu vaccine 
			 October 2006 Health Challenge England 
			  Know Your Limits alcohol harm reduction campaign 
			  NHS efficiency 
			 November 2006 Sexual health campaign 
			  Mental health bill 
			  Future regulation of health and adult social care 
			  New Practice Based Commissioning Guidance 
			  GP patient survey 
			 December 2006 NHS chief executive to set out blueprint for 2007-08 
			  Revised law on assisted reproduction 
			  Electronic care record 
			  HOOK campaign 
			  18 week target 
			 January 2007 Seasonal flu vaccination 
			 February 2007 GP services 
			  Children's and maternity services 
			  Professional regulation white paper and response to 5th Shipman inquiry 
			  White paper on regulation of health professionalspharmacy aspects 
			  New second hand smoke ad campaign 
			 March 2007 NHS pay awards

Departments: Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she attended the financial and risk management seminars offered to Ministers by the National School of Government for 2006.

Ivan Lewis: The Secretary of State did not attend the 2006 financial and risk management seminars. Two Ministers of State attended to represent the Department.

Food Standards Agency: Prosecutions

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the companies which have been prosecuted by the Food Standards Agency since 2001 in respect of which no further legal proceedings are active; what the reasons were for prosecution in each case; and what penalty was imposed.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 14 May 2007
	The following is a list of the companies that have been successfully prosecuted by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) since the end of 2001 in respect of which no further legal proceedings are active, the legislation under which the companies were prosecuted and the penalties which were imposed.
	
		
			  Convictions since 1 January 2002 following prosecutions brought by the FSA 
			  Date of hearing  Plant operator  Legislation  Fine ()  Costs () 
			 28 January 2002 Harvey Ashworth (Manchester) Ltd.. Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 500.00 500.00 
			 16 October 2002 Yorkshire Poultry Products Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 6,000.00 2,705.15 
			 6 November 2002 Jack Brand Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 4,000.00 11,043.00 
			 16 December 2002 J and B Fitton Ltd. Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997 4,000.00 4,900.00 
			 1 April 2003 Stockton Butchers Slaughtering Company Ltd. (a) Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997; (b) TSE (England) Regulations 2002 15,000.00 5,000.00 
			 17 April 2003 A and G Barber Ltd. (a) Specified Risk Material Regulations 1997; b) TSE (England) Regulations 2002 5,000.00 750.00 
			 15 July 2003 H Lyes and Son Ltd. (a) Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995;(b) Food Safety Act 1990 3,000.00 3,664.14 
			 1 September 2003 Kashmir Halal Meats Food Safety Act 1990 1,000.00 1,144.44 
			 18 September 2003 Woolley Bros. Ltd. Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 1,500.00 800.00 
			 9 October 2003 Frigoscandia Distribution Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 1,000.00 1,552.10 
			 10 December 2003 Kedassia Poultry Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 1,000.00 2,559.17 
			 7 January 2004 A P Burlton (Farms) Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 0.00 800.00 
			 9 February 2004 D J Andrews (Wholesale Meats) Ltd. (a) Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Food Safety Act 1990 1,500.00 2,428.10 
			 23 February 2004 A and G Barber Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 15,000.00 6,222.58 
			 3 March 2004 Yorkshire Poultry Products Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 1,500.00 500.00 
			 29 March 2004 Yorkshire Poultry Products Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 5,500.00 1,645.00 
			 18 May 2004 G Lawrence Wholesale Meat Company Ltd. Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 3,750.00 1,500.00 
			 20 May 2004 Woodhead Brothers Meat Company TSE (England) Regulations 2002 1,500.00 1,000.00 
			 21 May 2004 Al-Ummah Halal Poultry Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 3,000.00 2,000.00 
			 22 June 2004 Gee and Webb Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 26,000.00 4,494.48 
			 24 September 2004 Machin Yorkshire Lamb Ltd. Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 10,000.00 3,000.00 
			 6 December 2004 Al-Ummah Halal Poultry Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (1) 890.50 
			 23 March 2005 Traditional Norfolk Poultry Ltd. Animal By-Product (Identification) Regulations 1995 1,000.00 5,377.16 
			 16 May 2005 Blackwell Fresh Poultry Ltd. (a) Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995;( b) Food Safety Act 1990 1,750.00 1,509.25 
			 20 May 2005 Kedassia Poultry Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 2,250.00 0.00 
			 2 June 2005 Harvey Ashworth (Manchester) Ltd. TSE (England) Regulations 2002 750.00 750.00 
			 6 June 2005 Grove Smith (Turkeys) Ltd. (a) Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995;(b) Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 27,800.00 4,600.00 
			 29 June 2005 Yorkshire Poultry Products Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 5,000.00 5,000.00 
			 1 September 2005 2 Sisters Premier Division Ltd. (a) Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995;(b) Minced Meat and Meat Preparations (Hygiene) Regulations 1995 17,000.00 8,834.90 
			 27 September 2005 Pak Poultry Products Ltd. (a) Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Animal By-Product (Identification) Regulations 1995; (c) Food Safety Act 1990 2,000.00 1,347.45 
			 7 October 2005 Jackson's Wholesale Meat Suppliers Ltd. Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 900.00 150.00 
			 28 October 2005 NJG Halal Slaughtering Ltd. (a) Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) TSE (England) Regulations 2002 1,380.00 0.00 
			 7 November 2005 J H Lambert (Bungay) Ltd. (a) Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Food Safety Act 1990 4,000.00 3,481.00 
			 29 November 2005 Worcester Wholesale Meat Company Ltd. Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 2,000.00 3,283.50 
			 14 February 2006 C E Partridge and Son Ltd. TSE (England) Regulations 2002 2,500.00 2,494.30 
			 14 February 2006 Harvey Ashworth (Manchester) Ltd. (a) Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Food Safety Act 1990 3,000.00 2,500.00 
			 15 March 2006 Frank Bird (Poultry) Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 2,500.00 7,197.95 
			 21 March 2006 Saleh Brothers (Poultry Processors) Ltd. Food Safety Act 1990 3,500.00 3,531.92 
			 13 April 2006 West Scottish Lamb Ltd. (a) Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No. 2) Regulations 1996; (b) Food Safety Act 1990 4,000.00 4,000.00 
			 24 May 2006 HCF Poultry Ltd. (a) Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Animal By-Product (Identification) Regulations 1995 10,000.00 7,880.00 
			 12 June 2006 Oakland Farms Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 (2) 0.00 
			 14 August 2006 Pembrokeshire Meat Company Ltd. (a) Fresh Meat (Beef Controls) (No. 2) Regulations 1996; b) Animal By-Product (Identification) Regulations 1995 3,000.00 3,500.00 
			 31 August 2006 Leonard Ames (Ampthill) Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 1,800.00 2,071.49 
			  Paul Flatman Ltd. Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 800.00 4,467.00 
			  West Devon Meat Ltd. Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 1,000.00 5,892.69 
			  Yorkshire Poultry Products Ltd. (a) Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Animal By-Products (Identification) Regulations 1995; (c) Food Safety Act 1990 10,750.00 4,000.00 
			  L Grant (Meat Wholesale) Ltd. Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 1,000.00 1,000.00 
			  St Merryn Meat Ltd. TSE (Wales) Regulations 2002 2,000.00 3,055.00 
			  M Najib and Sons Ltd. TSE (England) Regulations 2002 3,500.00 5,100.00 
			  Coast and County Meat Supply Company Ltd. TSE (England) Regulations 2002 (3) 3,140.00 
			  Gafoor Poultry Products Limited Food Safety Act 1990 7,000.00 3,500.00 
			  Spenborough Abattoir Limited (a) Fresh Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Food Safety Act 1990 800.00 971.50 
			  A S Audhali Farm Gate Fresh Poultry Ltd. (a) Poultry Meat, Farmed Game Bird Meat and Rabbit Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995; (b) Food Safety Act 1990 15,000.00 5,632.00 
			  West Devon Meat Ltd. Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 2,000.00 3,000.00 
			 (1 )Three year conditional discharge. (2 )Absolute discharge. (3 )Conditional discharge.

General Practitioners

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to encourage general practitioners to become GPs with a specialist interest; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: General Practitioners with special interests can make a valuable contribution to delivery of care closer to patients' homes. Decisions on their development, recruitment and training are local matters and the Department is supporting primary care trusts, most recently through the publication in April 2007 of 'Implementing care closer to home: Convenient quality care for patients', which sets out a process for accrediting such practitioners and the services that they deliver. Copies have been placed in the Library.

General Practitioners: West Bromwich

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioner surgeries in West Bromwich East constituency  (a) have and  (b) have not been refurbished since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not routinely collect data relating to refurbishments of general practitioner surgeries. Therefore, not all the data requested is available centrally.
	However, a data collection was set up to monitor performance against the targets to refurbish or replace up to 3,000 general practitioner premises and create 500 primary care centres by December 2004, as detailed in the NHS Plan (published in 2000). The relevant data from this collection are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of premises replaced  Number of premises substantially refurbished 
			  NHS organisation  2000-02( 2)  2003-05( 2)  2000-02( 2)  2003-05( 2) 
			 Sandwell Health Authority(1) 2 n/a 0 n/a 
			 Oldbury and Smethwick Primary Care Trust (PCT) n/a 2 n/a 1 
			 Rowley Regis and Tipton PCT n/a 0 n/a 2 
			 Wednesbury and West Bromwich PCT n/a 2 n/a 1 
			 (1) Sandwell health authority historically covered an area similar to that of the former Oldbury and Smethwick, Rowley Regis and Tipton, and Wednesbury and West Bromwich PCTs. (2) Financial years, April to March.  Source: DH central returns, SaFFR, LDPR

Health Professions: Employment

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what progress is being made on the implementation of the Social Partnership Forum Action Plan for maximising employment opportunities for newly qualified health care professionals in a changing NHS in respect of  (a) integrated work force development and planning,  (b) retaining skills and knowledge,  (c) health and wellbeing strategy,  (d) capacity mapping,  (e) occupational health and  (f) managed migration;
	(2)  what progress is being made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Social Partnership Forum Action Plan for maximising employment opportunities for newly qualified health care professionals in a changing NHS on  (a) the role of strategic health authorities,  (b) the role of employers and  (c) the role of higher education institutions.

Rosie Winterton: The Social Partnership Forum action plan was launched on 13 April 2007.
	NHS Employers is responsible for monitoring progress against each of the action plan recommendations and will provide a report to the monthly meetings of the Social Partnership Forum Steering Group.

Health Services

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the long-term health impacts of effective access to secondary health care.

Andy Burnham: The long-term health benefits of effective access to secondary health care are long established. Changes to local services are matters for local national health service organisations. Significant changes to the configuration of local services should be subject to consultation.

Hospitals: Telephones

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what complaints she has received about Patientline; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 10 May 2007,  Official Report , column 409W.

Junior Doctors: Training

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the additional interviews arranged for junior hospital doctor training posts will be completed; whether the interview timetable is likely to take longer than originally planned; and what the estimated cost is of the additional interviews arranged.

Rosie Winterton: Offers will be made to successful candidates on a phased basis as interviews for each specialty are completed. Subject to the outcome of the current judicial review, the first offers for hospital specialities in England will be made on or after 21 May 2007, with all initial offers made by early June. This process of making offers will continue until late June 2007, at which time round one will close, ensuring that candidates and employers have time to prepare for appointments commencing on 1 August 2007. A complete estimate of the costs of the additional interviews has not been made.

Medical Equipment

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with the consultation on stoma care and urology care services; how many  (a) individuals and  (b) organisations have responded; what account has been taken of the potential impact of change on users, with particular reference to proposals on the direct supply of appliances and ancilliary items; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The consultation regarding the arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliancesand related services - to primary care is ongoing.
	Three consultation papers closed on 2 April 2007; these were:
	Arrangements for the reimbursement pricing of stoma and incontinence appliances under Part IX of the Drug Tariff;
	Arrangements for the remuneration of services relating to appliances within Part IX of the Drug Tariff; and
	Proposed Amendments to the Regulatory Terms of Service of Pharmacy and Appliance
	Contractors in relation to Dispensing Items Listed in Part IX of the Drug Tariff.
	The Department has received a significant level of response to these consultations. The majority of these responses were submitted by industry, dispensing appliance contractors, pharmacy contractors, clinicians, patient groups and individual patients.
	As the consultation process is intended to enable interested parties to comment and put forward their points of view on departmental proposals and to provide information that may be relevant to final policy making decisions, the Department is considering all these responses very carefully.
	However, an overriding objective continues to be the maintenance and where appropriate the improvement of patient care. This includes the direct supply of items and ancillary services.

Medical Treatments

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the maximum cost of a quality-adjusted life year available through the NHS;
	(2)  what estimate she has made of the cost per quality-adjusted life year of treating patients at high risk of coronary heart disease; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) publishes information on the role of the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) assessments in its Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal, and indicates in each individual appraisal the range of cost per QALY estimates on which the guidance draws. The guide was published in April 2004 and is available on NICE's website at:
	www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=201973
	I have made no assessment of the cost per QALY of treating patients at high risk of coronary heart disease. NICE published a health technology appraisal on statins in January 2006. This guidance relates to the initiation of statin therapy in adults with clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and in adults considered to be at risk of CVD.

Midwives: Eastern Region

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwifery posts are vacant in each NHS trust in the east of England strategic health authority area; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The following table shows the three month vacancies for midwifery staff in the east of England strategic health authority (SHA) area by national health service organisation, from the Information Centre for health and social care vacancies survey March 2006.
	
		
			   Three month vacancy rate  Three month vacancy number 
			 East of England SHA 1.4 25 
			 of which:   
			 Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 0.9 1 
			 Bedford Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust __ 0 
			 Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 3.1 4 
			 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust __ 0 
			 East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust 1.9 3 
			 Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust __ 0 
			 Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust 5.9 4 
			 Huntingdonshire Primary Care Trust * 0 
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 Kings Lynn And Wisbech Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust 9.1 8 
			 Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust __ 0 
			 Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust __ 0 
			 Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust __ 0 
			 Peterborough Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 1.0 1 
			 Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust 4.5 4 
			 South Essex Partnership NHS Trust __ 0 
			 Southend Hospital NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust __ 0 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 0 
			 Witham Braintree and Halstead Care Trust __ 0 
			  Notes: 1. Vacancy data are from the Vacancy Survey 2006 2. Three month vacancy information is as at 31 March 2006. 3. Three month vacancies are vacancies which Trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (full time equivalents). 4. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post 5. Three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the medical and dental and Non-Medical Workforce Censuses September 2005. 6. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place: * = figures where sum of staff in post (as at 30 September 2005) and vacancies (as at 31 March 2006) is less than 10. __ = zero. 7. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest whole number. 8. Calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates. 9. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component part.  Sources: The Information Centre for health and social care Vacancies Survey.  The Information Centre for health and social care Medical and Dental and Non-Medical Workforce Censuses.

Ministerial Visits

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits abroad were made by Ministers in each year since 1997, broken down by Minister; and what was the cost in each case.

Ivan Lewis: The information requested is not held in the format requested. However, information related to travel by Cabinet Ministers since 1997 is published on the Cabinet Office website at:
	www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ministers/

NHS Direct

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls were received by NHS Direct in each of the last three years.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not held centrally. This is a matter for the chief executive of the NHS Direct National Health Service Trust.

NHS Treatment Centres: Private Sector

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 24 April 2007,  Official Report, column 1046W, on the Healthcare Commission's report on NHS Treatment Centres: private sector, when the Healthcare Commission expects to publish its full report.

Andy Burnham: The Healthcare Commission expect to publish the final report of their review of the quality of care in Independent Sector Treatment Centres by the end of June 2007.

NHS Treatment Centres: Private Sector

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the tender process for an Independent Sector Treatment Centre for South Essex; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: Proposals for an independent sector treatment centre (ISTC) in South Essex are part of phase 2 of the ISTC programme.
	There is a robust process in place for the procurement of phase 2 ISTC services which is being conducted in compliance with European Union procurement law and in accordance with Office of Government Commerce best practice.
	Bidders interested in the programme responded to an advertisement in the  Official Journal of the European Union and were free to register an expression of interest, and complete a pre-qualifying questionnaire. Following this process, bidders were short-listed and issued with an invitation to negotiate. Bids were then returned for phase 2 schemes.
	In order for bidders to progress in the procurement, they are required to meet specific criteria across a range of specifications including clinical services, finance, work force, information management and technology, and contract management.

NHS: Consultants

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 30 April 2007,  Official Report, column 1513W, on the NHS: consultants, what recent estimates have been made of the average annual expenditure on management consultancy organisations by the NHS.

Andy Burnham: Information on the estimated costs of employing management consultants in the national health service trusts is not collected centrally.
	While primary care trusts and NHS trusts operate within the financial framework set by the Department, they are accountable to strategic health authorities for their financial performance, not the Department.

NHS: Contracts

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many managed service companies have had a contractual relationship with the NHS in the last two years; and how much the NHS has paid such companies in fees.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not collected centrally. However, information relating to the impact of Schedule 3 of the Finance Bill is included in the Regulatory Impact Assessment Managed Service Companies was published on the HM Revenue and Customs website on 29 March 2007 and can be accessed at www.hmrc.gov.uk.

NHS: Crimes of Violence

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place for the provision of support for nurses who have been assaulted in the workplace.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 May 2007
	In April 2003 the National Health Service Security Management Service (NHS SMS) was created and assumed responsibility for tackling violence against NHS staff, together with all other security related issues in the NHS in England. A comprehensive strategy has been implemented detailing both preventative and re-active action to be taken to tackle this problem both nationally and locally.
	Guidance has been issued to every health body in England setting out the support that should be offered at a local level to all NHS staff, including nurses that have experienced violence and abuse.
	The guidance directs the executive director responsible for security locally to ensure full co-operation with investigations into incidents of violence and abuse and it details the requirements to ensure that the person assaulted is kept informed of the progress and outcome of an investigation.
	In addition the guidance includes the requirement for staff to be made aware of the support services available to them such as counselling and referral to an occupational health practitioner.

NHS: ICT

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have an electronic patient record system.

Caroline Flint: This information is not held centrally. However, we do know that electronic record systems, such as those being delivered by the national programme for information technology, capable of sharing patient information wherever and whenever it is needed, provide more complete data and lead to the delivery of better care. No significant body of medical opinion disputes their enormous potential to support better clinical decision taking and reduce the incidence of medical error.
	Evidence from environments where electronic patient record systems are already routinely available and used shows, for example, that the number of failed appointments falls because hospitals have accurate and up-to-date addresses for patients. The number of duplicate diagnostic procedures and tests also reduces so that patients do not have to undergo repeat X-rays, reducing their risk of excess radiation and, importantly, patients benefit from knowing their records are up-to-date.
	Systems like these deployed under the national programme, including the choose and book electronic bookings system which puts patients in charge of their care, and the patient demographic system, that enables letters to be posted to the correct address and patient information to be handled more efficiently, are already in place in every national health service trust, supporting access to care. These include an acute patient administration system (PAS) and a community hospital PAS deployed to Milton Keynes General Hospital NHS Trust and Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust respectively on 24 February, consisting of core PAS functionality along with accident and emergency, scheduling, and clinical functionality. These systems will serve 267,000 inhabitants in the Milton Keynes area.

NHS: Public Appointments

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation there has been with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments on the appointment of the Chairman of the NHS's Provider Development Agency in London.

Rosie Winterton: The appointment of the Chairman of NHS London's Provider Development Agency was conducted in accordance with normal national health service appointments procedures. The Agency does not fall within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

NHS: Training

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which  (a) management,  (b) IT and  (c) other consultants have been employed to work on the Medical Training Application Service; and how much has been paid to each.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 15 May 2007
	Methods Consulting have been contracted to develop and support the Medical Training Application Service. The total costs of this service including set up costs were 1.9 million in 2006-07. The estimated costs of the service over five years are 6.3 million.

Palliative Care: Children

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will place in the Library a copy of the Independent Review of Palliative Care Services for Children.

Ivan Lewis: holding reply 15 May 2007
	The report was published today and a copy is available in the Library.

Palliative Care: Children

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the outcomes were of the Independent Review of Palliative Care Services for Children; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans she has to allocate funding to children's hospices; and what her timetable is for that funding.

Ivan Lewis: The findings of the independent review of children's palliative care services have been published today and copies are available in the Library. The Government will give thorough consideration to the recommendations and their implications for life-limited children and young people and will publish a detailed response in due course, taking into account any related recommendations from the parallel HM Treasury and Department for Education and Skills disabled children's review.